Terahertz biosensor detects skin cancer with remarkable precision, paving the way for a new era of early detection

Researchers have developed a revolutionary biosensor using terahertz (THz) waves that can detect skin cancer with exceptional sensitivity, potentially paving the way for earlier and easier diagnoses. Published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, the study presents a significant advance in the early detection of cancer, thanks to the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Glasgow.

“Traditional methods of detecting skin cancer often involve costly and time-consuming CT scans, PET scans and high-frequency invasive technologies,” explains Dr. Shohreh Nourinovin, postdoctoral research associate in the School of Engineering. Electronics and Computer Science Queen Mary, and the first of the study. author. “Our biosensor offers a non-invasive and highly effective solution, exploiting the unique properties of THz waves, a type of radiation with lower energy than X-rays and therefore safe for humans, to detect subtle changes in cellular characteristics .”

The key innovation lies in the design of the biosensor. Featuring tiny asymmetric resonators on a flexible substrate, it can detect subtle changes in cell properties. Unlike traditional methods that rely solely on refractive index, this device analyzes a combination of parameters, including resonant frequency, transmission amplitude, and a value called “full width at half maximum” (FWHM). This comprehensive approach provides a richer picture of the tissue, allowing more precise differentiation between healthy and cancerous cells and measuring the degree of malignancy of the tissue.

In testing, the biosensor successfully differentiated normal skin cells from basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cells, even at different concentrations. This ability to detect cancer at an early stage has immense potential to improve patient outcomes.

“The implications of this study go far beyond the detection of skin cancer,” explains Dr. Nourinovin. “This technology could be used for early detection of various cancers and other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, with potential applications in resource-limited settings due to its portability and affordability.”

Dr. Nourinovin’s research journey has not been without challenges. Initially focused on THz spectroscopy for cancer analysis, his project was temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this setback led her to explore the potential of THz metasurfaces, an innovative approach that opened a new chapter in her research.

Professor Qammer H. Abbasi, co-director of the Communications Sensing and Imaging Center at the James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow, said: “The integration of terahertz imaging technology into this type of flexible, portable and reusable sensor could make cancer screening faster and faster. comfortable procedure for patients. We are excited to leverage the potential of this revolutionary technology with future collaborative research.

“Despite the initial difficulties, the potential impact of this technology motivated us,” says Professor Akram Alomainy, head of the Antennas and Electromagnetics Research Group at Queen Mary. “We believe this biosensor has the potential to save countless lives by enabling early detection and intervention against various cancers.”