Latest news with #DepartmentofBioengineering
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
IISc researchers develop new imaging method to detect tumours
BENGALURU: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have developed a new imaging molecule that could help detect tumours accurately, at a fraction of the cost of current methods and without the risks associated with repeated radiation exposure. The molecule, called GPc, is created by scientists from the Department of Bioengineering at IISc and designed for use with Photoacoustic (PA) Tomography, a relatively new imaging technique. Their work could open the door to safer and more affordable tumour detection, especially for tumours located close to the body's surface. Tumour cells are far more active than healthy ones and consume a lot more glucose. PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans — currently the gold standard in cancer imaging — take advantage of this by injecting patients with a radioactive sugar molecule called 18F-FDG. This sugar builds up in tumours, helping doctors spot them. But PET scans are expensive and repeated scans can expose patients to harmful radiation over time. Photoacoustic Tomography uses a safer approach. A near-infrared laser beam is directed at special light-absorbing molecules, called chromophores, which slightly expand and create tiny pressure waves when heated. These waves can be detected as sound signals and processed into 3D images. The method is less costly than PET or MRI and works well for mapping superficial tumours. At present, clinical PA imaging mostly relies on natural chromophores already found in the body, such as haemoglobin. But haemoglobin's signals, while useful, are not strong enough for certain diagnostic needs. This is where IISc's innovation comes in. The team conducted several experiments to see whether GPc enters cells the same way glucose does and whether it competes with glucose for entry. This was important because if GPc behaved like a glucose 'agonist', entering cells and being metabolised, it might not work as a good imaging agent. The results were promising. GPc entered tumour cells easily, was not metabolised, and did not depend on GLUT1 transporters (the proteins that normally carry glucose into cells).
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IISc researchers develop least invasive method to locate tumour cells
Indian Institute of Science Positron Emission Tomography biocompatible small molecule Researchers from the(IISc) have developed a minimally invasive and cost-effective technique to locate tumour cells in the human to the researchers, tumor cells have higher metabolic activity compared to healthy tissue and consequently consume a significant amount of glucose. The current diagnostic technique used to locate tumors,(PET), exploits this inject patients with radioactive tracers, which accumulate at the tumour site and help pinpoint it. However, PET is expensive and poses the risk of radiation accumulation in case of repeated scans. Researchers from the Department of Bioengineering have developed athat can be used to visualise tumour sites with high metabolic activity this method, a near-infrared (NIR) laser beam is shone on light-absorbing molecules (chromophores) sent to the target region, which then expand, creating a pressure change. The change can be picked up as an auditory signal, and analysing these signals allows scientists to construct 3D images of the target method is particularly useful for pinpointing superficial tumours.
