We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




Butterfly-Inspired Imaging Sensor Accurately Detects Cancer Cells

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Nov 2023
Print article
Image: The UV imaging sensor compared to a US quarter (Photo courtesy of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Image: The UV imaging sensor compared to a US quarter (Photo courtesy of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength than visible light but longer than X-rays. It is divided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC, each with its unique range of wavelengths. Detecting UV light is complex since it's invisible to the human eye, which makes it difficult to distinguish between these categories. In contrast, butterflies have the capability to see the slight variances in the UV spectrum in the same way humans perceive different colors such as blues and greens. This ability of the Papilio xuthus butterfly has now inspired researchers to create a sensor that can detect UV light which is otherwise undetectable by human eyes.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Urbana, IL, USA), scientists have engineered a sensor that includes layers of photodiodes and utilizes perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) to image the UV spectrum. PNCs are semiconductor nanocrystals with distinct features that are adaptable based on their size and composition, much like quantum dots, which changes their absorbance and emission traits. These have become promising materials for various sensor-based applications including in solar cells and LED technology. PNCs are notably effective in identifying UV and wavelengths lower than what traditional silicon detectors can handle. In this new sensor, the PNC layer captures UV photons and converts them into visible light (in the green spectrum), which is then recorded by the underlying silicon photodiodes. By processing these readings, the sensor can map and identify UV signatures with precision.

Cancerous tissues often contain higher levels of certain biomedical markers such as amino acids, proteins, and enzymes compared to healthy tissues. When stimulated by UV light, these substances emit a fluorescence in the UV and visible spectrums—a phenomenon known as autofluorescence. This difference in fluorescence between cancerous and healthy cells, due to varying concentrations of these markers, allows them to be distinguished from one another. The researchers tested their imaging technology on its ability to differentiate markers associated with cancer, and it proved to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous cells with a 99% level of certainty. The developers of this sensor anticipate its use in surgical settings, assisting surgeons in determining the extent of tissue removal needed to achieve cancer-free margins, thereby supporting the surgical decision-making process in tumor removal.

“Imaging in the UV region has been limited and I would say that has been the biggest roadblock for making scientific progress,” said bioengineering professor Shuming Nie who led the research. “Now we have come up with this technology where we can image UV light with high sensitivity and can also distinguish small wavelength differences. This new imaging technology is enabling us to differentiate cancerous versus healthy cells and is opening up new and exciting applications beyond just health.”

Related Links:
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Platinum Supplier
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay
Gold Supplier
Pipette Controller
Sapphire MaxiPette
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Sample Collection
Saliva Collection Media

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: A module with eight micro-devices, complete with microfluidic channels and drive motors (Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Energy)

Highly Sensitive pH Sensor to Aid Detection of Cancers and Vector-Borne Viruses

Understanding the acidity or alkalinity of substances through pH measurement is crucial in many fields, from environmental monitoring to healthcare product safety. In many cases, these measurements must... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The PrismRA blood test helps target best treatments for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Photo courtesy of Scipher Medicine)

Groundbreaking Rheumatoid Arthritis Blood Test Predicts Treatment Response

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease affecting joints and other systems in the body, impacts millions globally. Typically, the initial biologic treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs from... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The QScout hematology analyzer has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

First Rapid-Result Hematology Analyzer Reports Measures of Infection and Severity at POC

Sepsis, a critical medical condition that arises as an extreme response to infection, poses a significant health threat. It occurs when an infection triggers a widespread inflammatory response in the body.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PointCheck is the world’s first device for non-invasive white cell monitoring (Photo courtesy of Leuko Labs)

World’s First Portable, Non-Invasive WBC Monitoring Device to Eliminate Need for Blood Draw

One of the toughest challenges for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is experiencing a low count of white blood cells, also known as neutropenia. These cells play a crucial role in warding off infections.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Current testing methods for antibiotic susceptibility rely on growing bacterial colonies in the presence of antibiotics (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Returns Results within 30 Minutes

In 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1.3 million individuals. The conventional approach for testing antimicrobial susceptibility involves cultivating... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The acquisition significantly expands Medix Biochemica’s portfolio of IVD raw materials (Photo courtesy of ViroStat)

Medix Biochemica Acquires US-Based ViroStat to Expand Infectious Diseases Antibody Offering

Medix Biochemica (Espoo, Finland), a supplier of critical raw materials to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, has acquired ViroStat LLC (Portland, ME, USA), a provider of infectious disease antibodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.