Case Study: Supporting Groundbreaking Cancer Detection Research with Medical Detection Dogs
At WolfLabs, we know that scientific breakthroughs rely on more than innovative research, they also depend on reliable equipment behind the scenes.
We're proud to support the incredible work of Medical Detection Dogs, the world-leading charity that trains dogs to detect disease using their extraordinary sense of smell. Their pioneering research is helping to explore new, faster and less invasive ways of diagnosing disease, with the potential to improve thousands of lives.
As part of their latest bowel (colorectal) cancer detection project, Medical Detection Dogs selected WolfLabs to purchase a Haier Biomedical UltraEco -80°C Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer to safely store valuable urine samples used throughout the research programme.
Why Sample Storage Matters
Every biological sample collected for research represents an opportunity to advance medical knowledge.
The bowel cancer project uses urine samples from patients to train specially selected Bio Detection Dogs to identify the unique odour signatures associated with colorectal cancer. By preserving these samples at ultra-low temperatures, researchers can maintain sample integrity throughout the study, ensuring consistency and reliability as the dogs are trained and assessed.
Reliable cold storage is therefore a critical part of the research process, helping protect the quality of samples that could contribute to the development of future diagnostic technologies.
The Project
Every 15 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making early detection one of the biggest challenges in improving patient outcomes.
Medical Detection Dogs is working alongside Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and The Open University to investigate whether trained dogs can accurately detect bowel cancer from urine samples. The aim is to develop a future diagnostic approach that is rapid, non-invasive and more accessible than current screening methods. Researchers also hope the work will help identify the volatile compounds that the dogs detect, supporting the development of future laboratory-based diagnostic tests.
Unlike traditional screening methods, urine sampling is simple and non-invasive, potentially encouraging greater participation in screening programmes while reducing the need for unnecessary invasive investigations.
Supporting Research That Makes a Difference
For over 18 years, Medical Detection Dogs has been pioneering the use of canine scent detection to identify diseases including cancer, Parkinson's disease and serious bacterial infections.
Their work extends beyond research alone. The charity also trains Medical Alert Assistance Dogs that help people living with complex health conditions such as diabetes, severe allergies, PoTS and unexplained blackouts by detecting subtle scent changes before potentially life-threatening medical events occur.
Together, these programmes demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of a dog's nose while helping scientists better understand disease-specific odours that could shape the future of medical diagnostics.
The right equipment makes all the difference
Research projects demand equipment that scientists can trust day after day.
The Ultra-Low Temperature (-80°C) Freezers supplied from WolfLabs provides dependable long-term storage for temperature-sensitive biological samples, giving research teams confidence that valuable specimens remain securely preserved throughout the lifetime of their studies.
We're delighted to support Medical Detection Dogs in their mission to improve the early detection of bowel cancer and wish the team every success as their pioneering work continues.
Find out more
Learn more about Medical Detection Dogs' bowel cancer research project and the life-changing work they do to advance medical science and support people living with complex health conditions. https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/colorectal-cancer
Looking for reliable ultra-low temperature storage for your laboratory? Explore the WolfLabs range of -80°C Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers, designed to protect valuable biological samples and support research where reliability matters most. https://www.wolflabs.co.uk/laboratory-equipment/freezers-ultra-low-temperature
