Northwestern University: Nanoscale
Technology Helping to Improve Early Detection for Several Forms of Cancer VADIM BACKMAN, Ph.D., is a Walter Dill Scott
Professor and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. Backman conducts research on biophotonic, nanoscale imaging, optical and molecular technologies for cancer research and diagnosis, and cancer biomarkers. Backman’s research focuses on optical methods to detect GI cancer at a very early stage without the need for a colonoscopy. He recently discovered optical technology that can be effective in detecting the presence of pancreatic cancer through analysis of neighboring tissue in the duodenum. Researchers hope that this promising new technology could help raise the extremely low survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients by aiding early detection. His studies also include research of the alterations of tissue nano-architecture in carcinogenesis. Early detection is probably the best way to win the war against cancer. Backman has been developing several early detection optics technologies for multiple kinds of cancer that will be cheaper, more accurate, and less invasive. They have shown that nanoscale changes in cells caused by cancer can be detected using optical techniques called partial-wave spectroscopy, low-coherence enhanced backscattering spectroscopy, and four-dimensional elastic light-scattering fingerprinting. Backman and his associate, Hemant K. Roy, MD, chief of the section of gastroenterology at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, have been leading clinical trials, testing the technologies on different forms of cancers, which has yielded promising results.
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about northwestern University
The screening process requires cells collected from respective areas; for example, cheek cells are collected to test for lung cancer, rectum cells are collected to test for colon cancer, and uterus or cervix cells are collected to test for ovarian cancer. Then the researchers shine a light on the collected cells and analyze the signals that the photons give off when they bounce around different structures within the cells. Partial Wave Spectroscopy (PWS) is a very sensitive form of microscopy; it uses light scattering to examine the architecture of cells at the nanoscale and can detect profound changes that are the earliest known signs of carcinogenesis. These changes can be seen in the cells far from the tumor site or even before the tumor forms. These tests would also determine if more invasive tests would be required for the patient. Backman and Roy see PWS to be in clinical use in about five years if this process is commercialized.
Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is one of the country’s leading private research and teaching universities with an enrollment of approximately 8,000 full-time undergraduate students and approximately 8,000 full-time graduate and professional students and approximately 2,000 part-time students on campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries. Northwestern provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth in a setting enhanced by the richness of Chicago.