As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Clarence Albaugh often used a binocular ophthalmoscope to get a stereoscopic view of the interior of the eye. As a talented filmmaker, Dr. Albaugh used a 16mm camera to capture his adventures on film. As an amateur "ham" radio enthusiast, he used a two-way radio to communicate with other hams around the world.

Clearly, Dr. Albaugh knew how critical the right equipment is to any endeavor. So when the Albaughs decided to honor his alma mater, Dartmouth Medical School, with a $1 million bequest, they chose to have it go toward the purchase of equipment for medical research. The Albaugh Trust directed the $1 million gift toward the purchase of cancer research equipment at Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

Along with a major expansion and new lab space, gifts such as the Albaughs' strengthen the Cancer Center's ability to recruit highly talented scientists who are forging an exciting new era in cancer research at Dartmouth.

"It takes about $100,000 to $200,000 to get a laboratory up and running-and that's just the mundane items like pipettes, centrifuges, and incubators," explains Dr. Alan Eastman, Director for Shared Resources at the Cancer Center.

Even more costly is the sophisticated technology that advanced cancer research demands. A microarray scanner, which analyzes the expression of tens of thousands of genes simultaneously, costs $150,000. A micro-PET scanner, which allows researchers to observe the aftermath of gene mutations in animal models, can cost anywhere from $300,000 to $700,000.

Grants to fund research projects do not generally cover the cost of such equipment. The burden of purchase falls to the investigator or the academic institution. "No single investigator can afford a half-million dollar piece of equipment," Dr. Eastman says.

The Cancer Center will use the Albaugh gift to purchase advanced equipment that will be made available to investigators through 14 shared resources which centralize and manage high-end equipment and services for use by the entire research community. Professional staff trained to use the complex equipment and faculty with specialized expertise provide investigators with the information they need to advance their research.

By providing support for highly specialized research equipment, the generosity of Clarence and Estelle Albaugh will enhance the research efforts of cancer investigators in their steady progress against cancer.