Researchers have developed a revolutionary biosensor using terahertz (THz) waves that may detect skin cancer with exceptional sensitivity, potentially paving the best way for earlier and easier diagnoses. Published within the IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, the study presents a big advancement in early cancer detection, because of the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Glasgow.
“Traditional methods for detecting skin cancer often involve expensive, time-consuming, CT, PET scans and invasive higher frequencies technologies,” explains Dr Shohreh Nourinovin, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Queen Mary’s School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, and the study’s first creator. “Our biosensor offers a non-invasive and highly efficient solution, leveraging the unique properties of THz waves — a style of radiation with lower energy than X-rays, thus secure for humans — to detect subtle changes in cell characteristics.”
The important thing innovation lies within the biosensor’s design. Featuring tiny, asymmetric resonators on a versatile substrate, it might probably detect subtle changes within the properties of cells. Unlike traditional methods that rely solely on refractive index, this device analyses a mixture of parameters, including resonance frequency, transmission magnitude, and a worth called “Full Width at Half Maximum” (FWHM). This comprehensive approach provides a richer picture of the tissue, allowing for more accurate differentiation between healthy and cancerous cells and to measure malignancy degree of the tissue.
In tests, the biosensor successfully differentiated between normal skin cells and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cells, even at different concentrations. This ability to detect early-stage cancer holds immense potential for improving patient outcomes.
“The implications of this study extend far beyond skin cancer detection,” says Dr Nourinovin. “This technology could possibly be used for early detection of varied cancers and other diseases, like Alzheimer’s, with potential applications in resource-limited settings resulting from its portability and affordability.”
Dr Nourinovin’s research journey wasn’t without its challenges. Initially specializing in THz spectroscopy for cancer evaluation, her project was temporarily halted resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, this setback led her to explore the potential of THz metasurfaces, a novel approach that sparked a brand new chapter in her research.
Professor Qammer H. Abbasi, Co-director for Communication Sensing & Imaging Hub at University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering said: “Integrating terahertz imaging technology into such a flexible, portable, reuseable sensor could make cancer screening a quicker and more comfortable procedure for patients. We’re excited to construct on the potential of this breakthrough technology with future collaborative research.
“Despite the initial difficulties, the potential impact of this technology kept us motivated,” says Professor Akram Alomainy, Head of the Antennas & Electromagnetics Research Group at Queen Mary. “We consider this biosensor has the potential to save lots of countless lives by enabling early detection and intervention for various cancers.”
