At Imperial College London, PhD researcher Sophie Stevens is using the Mic real-time PCR cycler to accelerate essential research into HPV and its connection to gynaecological cancers. Her work focuses on understanding how the vaginal microbiome influences HPV oncogene activity, a critical step toward improving early detection and prevention strategies.
Who is Sophie Stevens?
Sophie Stevens is a PhD student in the Marches and PU group at Imperial College London. Her research centres on how HPV (human papillomavirus) behaves within the vaginal microbiome and how this behaviour contributes to the development of cervical cancer.
She uses cervical organoids, which are advanced 3D cell culture systems that replicate the structure and function of human cervical tissue. These organoids are derived from HPV-positive patients, giving Sophie the ability to study the virus in human-like tissue environments.
Her experiments target three key HPV oncogenes, E6, E7 and E2. These genes influence the progression of cervical cancer by disrupting normal cell regulation. Understanding how they are expressed gives Sophie valuable insight into how the virus contributes to disease progression.
Why This Research Matters
HPV is a leading cause of cervical cancer. Early detection of oncogene expression can help identify women at higher risk, guide screening strategies and support intervention before disease progression.
Current diagnostic and research methods often require slow laboratory workflows and significant resources. Faster and more accurate molecular tools are essential for accelerating discoveries that could improve screening, prevention and treatment.
Sophie’s research aims to fill this gap by analysing HPV oncogene expression quickly and precisely. Rapid detection helps her identify how different microbial environments influence cancer risk, creating opportunities for earlier and more personalised clinical decision making.
How Bio Molecular Systems Makes It Possible
The Mic real-time PCR cycler sits at the centre of Sophie’s day-to-day work. It gives her the accuracy and reproducibility she needs to measure HPV oncogene expression with confidence.
Speed is a major advantage. With Mic, her run times drop from more than two and a half hours to less than 40 minutes, which helps her move through experiments faster and collect more data in a single day.
Having her own Mic removes delays that often come with shared laboratory instruments. She can set up runs whenever she needs to and keep her workflow moving. And because Mic is portable, she can take it between research sites across Imperial College and the UK while maintaining consistent, high-quality results.
What is the Mic Real-Time PCR Cycler?
The Mic is a compact, high-performance real-time PCR cycler designed for fast, accurate and reproducible molecular testing. It allows researchers to work efficiently across different environments without compromising data quality.
Empowering Research Anywhere
The Mic’s lightweight design makes it suitable for molecular testing across academic laboratories, clinical research sites and field-based projects. Its durability supports intensive day-to-day use, and its consistency helps researchers produce publication-quality results across users and locations.
Designed for Precision and Speed
Mic is a lightweight 2 kg real-time PCR cycler designed for accuracy and fast turnaround. It produces consistent results in under 40 minutes and operates without the need for calibration or servicing.
Its user-friendly interface and intuitive software support quick setup and minimal maintenance. Researchers can move smoothly from sample preparation to data analysis without interruptions to their workflow.
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From the Lab to Global Impact
Beyond her UK-based research, Sophie is working with clinical fellow Sarah Balden on an early HPV screening project in Senegal. The Mic’s compact and self-contained design makes it an ideal option for low-resource settings where laboratory infrastructure is limited.
This collaboration has the potential to improve early HPV detection and cervical cancer prevention in communities where screening is scarce. Portable diagnostics like the Mic can help bridge gaps in women’s health screening worldwide by making accurate molecular testing available in settings with fewer resources.
Advancing Global Health with Bio Molecular Systems
Bio Molecular Systems is committed to supporting world-class scientific research through reliable and innovative technology. The Mic real-time PCR cycler helps researchers like Sophie generate fast and accurate data that can advance understanding of HPV, inform screening strategies and contribute to better global health outcomes.
Alongside the Mic, BMS also provides tools that help researchers streamline sample preparation and improve day-to-day efficiency. The Myra Liquid Handler is a portable and automated pipetting platform designed to deliver accurate and consistent results with minimal setup. For a seamless molecular workflow, Myra Plus integrates the Mic PCR Machine and the Myra Liquid Handler into a single compact unit that supports everything from liquid handling to real-time PCR analysis.
Want to Learn More? Book a Demo
To see how the Mic, Myra or Myra Plus can support your research, you can book a demo or submit an enquiry.