Insights into selenium win thesis medal

Dr Claire Weekley, a researcher from the University of Adelaide, has been awarded the Australian Synchrotron Stephen Wilkins Thesis Medal for her insights into elemental selenium, adding to our understanding of its potential for the prevention and treatment of disease.

Dr Claire Weekley, The University of Adelaide.

“Only with a thorough understanding of the relationship between the chemical form and the biological activity of selenium can we understand how selenium compounds might be used in the prevention and treatment of diseases like cancer,” said Dr Weekley.

“My research provides an overview of how different selenium compounds are metabolised by and distributed in biological systems, and how these properties are related to the unique biological activities of the compounds. I hope this will inform medical and clinical researchers in their choice of selenium compounds in future research.”

Dr Weekley used highly advanced molecular imaging techniques to reveal the cellular distribution of a number of forms of selenium in biological systems in exquisite detail. She utilised the capabilities of the Australian Synchrotron and combined these with techniques available in Japan and the USA with the support of the International Synchrotron Access Program.

“Combining results from both X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) techniques allowed me to produce a comprehensive picture of both selenium speciation and distribution in biological systems that is difficult to do with other techniques,” Dr Weekley said. “The fast scanning capabilities of the XFM beamline and the high intensity of the XAS beamline both enabled my research, as did the expertise of the staff at both beamlines.”

This Australian Synchrotron X-ray image reveals the distributions of selenium and copper in the kidney of a rodent, which was fed a high-selenium diet.

The Australian Synchrotron Stephen Wilkins Thesis Medal is named in honour of synchrotron pioneer Stephen Wilkins, who passed away in March 2013. It was presented to Dr Weekley at the Australian Synchrotron User Meeting 2014.