Joint Second Prize at the CRUK Image Competition 2026
A lung tumour (pink), arteries (red) and veins (blue), visualised using hierarchical phase-contrast tomography (HiP-CT).
Satsuma Lab is delighted to announce that our image, “Untangling micro-scale vascular networks in lung cancer”, submitted by Dr Shahab Aslani, Dr Daryl Cheng and Dr Alfred So won joint second prize in the CRUK City of London Centre Image Competition 2026.
The award-winning image reveals the intricate three-dimensional network of blood vessels within and around a 1.6 cm lung tumour. The tumour is shown in pink, with arteries in red and veins in blue.
Using hierarchical phase-contrast tomography (HiP-CT), researchers visualised the vascular network throughout the tumour and surrounding tissues in three dimensions, without tissue staining. This provides a detailed view of the complex branching patterns and spatial relationships between the cancer and its blood supply.
Blood vessels deliver the oxygen and nutrients that support tumour growth. Understanding how these networks develop and interact with lung tumours could help identify new approaches to treatment.
We are pleased to see this work recognised and congratulate all the competition winners!
View the winning images and read the official announcement.
For more information about this study, please contact:
- Prof Joseph Jacob, Professor of Thoracic Imaging, University College London: j.jacob@ucl.ac.uk
- Shahab Aslani, Senior Research Fellow, University College London: a.shahab@ucl.ac.uk
