Fight against tumors: an innovative PoliTO project wins international award
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Europe and worldwide. To combat it, it is necessary to invest in research aimed at perfecting diagnoses and early treatment of the disease. This challenge has been accepted by Politecnico, with a research group from the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT). The group is composed of researcher Veronica Vighetto, Professor Valentina Cauda, and PhD students Nicolò Maria Percivalle and Elia Pascucci, who are working on the NanoZoom project. Due to the social impact of its research activities, the project was awarded this year with the Lifebility Award, selecting the best ideas, visions, and thoughts destined to change the world for the better.
At the core of the study developed at the University and funded by an academic PoC (Proof of Concept) within the framework of the NODES North-West Digital and Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem project, is the introduction of advanced imaging technology - a process through which it is possible to observe an area of an organism not visible from the outside - aiming for deep detection of tumors: a step forward in sector research made possible by nanoparticles that operate as innovative high-resolution contrast agents. Specifically, this technology is based on the use of ultrasounds combined with nanometric contrast agents, that can concentrate in the area of interest for the therapy and enhance the ultrasound signal, combining it with an optical emission technique called sonoluminescence.
"The progress of our NanoZoom research is not only academic: its positive impact can also extend to the industrial sector, expanding the market for contrast media for imaging and diagnostics or partnerships with manufacturers of ultrasound scanners and ultrasonic transducers used in the medical field," commented Veronica Vighetto upon receiving the award.
The technology was also publicly presented during the NODES TechShareDays, organized on May 27th and 28th at PolITO. On the occasion, Professor Cauda explained: "After years of study, we are starting to see concrete results, with imaging applications that are also confirmed to be valid in vivo, allowing us to engage with the main industrial players in the sector and begin planning the steps for future technology transfer".
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