Lynne Featherstone MP became a ‘citizen scientist’ last week to help Cancer Research UK fight cancer.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green met with Cancer Research representatives, and took a turn on the new Cell Slider website, which could help the charity to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

The website presents real images of tumour samples in the form of a simple game of snap. Users are guided through a tutorial explaining which cells to analyse and which ones to ignore.

At the moment, the process of identifying certain molecules in cancer cells which help scientists understand why people respond differently to cancer treatment is slow. That’s why Cancer Research UK has launched Cell Slider to help accelerate groundbreaking research.

By getting the public to become ‘citizen scientists’, more samples will be analysed faster and more effectively, freeing up Cancer Research UK’s experts to carry out other cancer research. More than half a million images have already been analysed.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Research is cancer’s number one enemy, so I urge everyone in Hornsey and Wood Green to take five minutes to get involved with this exciting initiative. Together we can help Cancer Research UK’s doctors and scientists make huge advances in the battle against all cancers.

“The program is so easy to use, meaning everyone can play their part in helping to beat cancer from the comfort of their own homes.

“I wish Cancer Research UK all the best for this initiative and for the future.”

Cancer Research UK’s Executive Director of Policy and Information, Sarah Woolnough, said:

“Every step we make towards beating cancer relies on the support of the public, so we hope would-be ‘citizen scientists’ in Hornsey and Wood Green will really get behind this campaign.

“We’re so pleased to have the support of Lynne Featherstone MP with raising awareness, as there’s still so much more we need to do to ensure no-one’s life is cut short by cancer. By boosting our ability to analyse data quickly with the help of ‘citizen scientists’, our world-class research teams will be able to develop better ways to prevent, control and cure the disease and help save many more lives.”