Our Speaker, Kamala Patel

Sonny Belenkie introduced this week's speaker Dr. Kamala Patel of the Live Cell Imaging (LCI) Laboratory. The LCI resource is an important element of the University of Calgary’s Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases that provides state-of-the-art microscopes and expertise to researchers studying chronic diseases.

 

Dr. Patel stressed the importance of collaboration to the LCI’s mandate. The LCI achieves this through its support for academic and industrial partnerships. Its strategy is to bring together creative ideas, cutting-edge tools and top talent recruited from around the world.

 

Her research is advancing our understanding of the role of white blood cells in inflammation. These cells, also known as leukocytes, are the key agents that help the body fight off invading microorganisms. While the inflammation that results from their action is normally a part of a healthy response to infection, inflammation characterizes many chronic diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis. These diseases impact the quality of life for many Canadians, and impose tremendous health care costs.

 

Dr. Patel concluded her remarks by extending an invitation to visit the LCI resource laboratory, noting that science is a journey that is more fun if you have company. After all, “The image is just the beginning…” Lori Forand thanked our speaker for her most informative presentation.