The uCAIR prototype system will deliver increased specificity of diagnosis of human tissue, specific single cells, and molecular biomarkers in body liquids. The results and benefits of the developed technologies will be demonstrated in two realistic use cases involving characterization of biopsy tissues and urine biomarkers of bladder cancers.
Bladder cancers are the fifth most common cancer in Europe, with about 67,000 deaths and 204,000 new diagnoses in 2020. Due to its aggressiveness and complexities in stage identification, the need for accurate and rapid diagnostic procedures is proportionally high. A better ex vivo analysis of tissue biopsies as well as live detection in vivo during cystoscopy would be possible with the more precise urological surgical technique.
We aim to validate our uCAIR platforms in two carefully designed case studies related to bladder cancer. In the first study we will investigate the cancerous biopsy-tissue with the uCAIR system. We will compare the chemometric diagnosis specificity and sensitivity with both state-of-the-art spectroscopy complementary technologies: Fourier-Transform-Infrared-Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman in real-time imaging.
Biomarkers are measurable parameters of biological processes that have prognostic or diagnostic significance. In the second case study we will investigate such molecular biomarkers from urine using a specially designed microfluidic system in combination with uCAIR. Thereby we aim to reach a 90% specificity in real-time.
Earlier diagnosis such as biofluid-based screening of bladder cancer can lead to better prognosis for patients.
We will build a technology roadmap for in vivo optical biopsy and endomicroscopy for clinical purposes. Furthermore, the design of uCAIR should facilitate a seamless expansion of the novel ultra-fast Raman technology's application spectrum, extending its reach beyond the medical domain.
Coordinator - University of Limerick
Dr. Christophe Silien
