Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK with approximately 41,000 individuals in the UK diagnosed annually. Importantly it is estimated that over half of all bowel cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes including dietary modification. Previous studies demonstrate that diets rich in iron (e.g. red and processed meat) are a major risk factor. Recently, a polymer from seaweed called alginate has been shown to inhibit the uptake and transport of iron within human RKO colorectal carcinoma cells. Alginate is already used as a thickener and stabiliser in some foods and so could be a simple dietary additive to prevent or treat colorectal cancer. In our experiment at ISIS we will study the way that alginate interacts with iron in conditions similar to those found in the human gut. This will allow us to understand and optimise this promising system.