NYU Abu Dhabi Researchers Develop Breakthrough Tool for Enhanced Cancer Detection During Cryosurgery
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: A team of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has developed an innovative nanoscale material that significantly enhances surgeons’ ability to detect and remove cancer cells during cryosurgery—a procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy tumors.
The breakthrough technology, detailed in the study Freezing-Activated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Precise Fluorescence Cryo-Imaging of Cancer Tissue published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, introduces a specialized nanoscale Covalent Organic Framework (nTG-DFP-COF). Designed by the Trabolsi Research Group at NYUAD, this material increases its fluorescence under freezing conditions, allowing cancerous cells to be clearly distinguished from healthy tissue, thereby improving surgical precision.
This advancement enhances the accuracy and safety of cryosurgical procedures by helping surgeons preserve healthy tissue while effectively targeting cancer cells. By combining diagnostic imaging and treatment in a single platform, the technology could reduce the need for repeat surgeries and accelerate patient recovery.
“We believe this is a transformative tool that could revolutionize cancer surgery,” said Farah Benyettou, Ph.D., a research scientist in the Trabolsi Research Group at NYU Abu Dhabi. “By making tumor removal more precise, this technology has the potential to reduce additional surgeries and improve patient outcomes.”
Professor Ali Trabolsi, principal investigator of the Trabolsi Research Group, emphasized the significance of integrating fluorescence imaging with cryosurgery. “This breakthrough bridges the gap between imaging and therapy, providing surgeons with a real-time tool to visualize and remove cancer with unprecedented precision. We are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment and offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat tumors,” he said.
The innovation marks a major step forward in advancing cancer treatment technologies, with potential applications for improving surgical outcomes in aggressive and hard-to-target cancers.
