Wednesday, November 19, 2014

NTU professors invent new method of identifying tumours in the body

NTU professors invent new method of identifying tumours in the body


Associate Professors Zhang Qichun (left) and Joachim Loo from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have invented a new way of detecting tumour cells, and administering anti-cancer drugs to those specific cells. -- PHOTO: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Singapore- Associate professors Zhang Qichun and Joachim Loo from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have invented a new way of detecting tumour cells, and administering anti-cancer drugs to those specific cells.

The method involves the use of a biomarker made from a particle ten thousand times smaller than a grain of sand, and lights up when it is activated by near-infrared light emitted by an imaging device.

This happens only when small signalling molecules are released by tumour cells, NTU said on Wednesday.

Near-infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye, is unique as most imaging techniques use ultraviolet light or visible light.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

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