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Key Points

Researchers at NIT Rourkela have developed a groundbreaking biosensor that can detect breast cancer cells with remarkable precision. The Tunnel Field Effect Transistor (TFET) technology identifies cancerous cells by analyzing their unique physical properties without requiring complex laboratory procedures. Unlike traditional methods, this innovative device is highly sensitive, affordable, and could potentially revolutionize cancer screening in clinical and home settings. The research, published in Microsystem Technologies journal, represents a significant leap forward in early cancer detection technologies.

Key Points: NIT Rourkela's TFET Biosensor Revolutionizes Breast Cancer Detection

  • Innovative TFET technology detects cancer cells using unique dielectric properties
  • No additional chemicals required for screening
  • Significantly more affordable than traditional diagnostic methods
  • Enables potential home and mobile cancer testing
2 min read

NIT Rourkela's new biosensor offers affordable breast cancer diagnosis

Breakthrough semiconductor biosensor offers affordable, precise breast cancer cell detection without complex lab procedures

"The sensor picks up cancer cell differences quickly and with high precision - Prof. Prasanna Kumar Sahu"

Rourkela, May 23

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have designd a novel semiconductor device-based biosensor that can identify breast cancer cells without the need for complicated or expensive laboratory procedures.

The device ‘TFET’ (Tunnel Field Effect Transistor) is based on TCAD (Technology Computer-Aided Design) simulation results, that can effectively detect breast cancer cells.

FETs are commonly used in electronics, but here they have been adapted to function as a sensitive detector of biological materials.

Unlike many traditional tests, this biosensor does not need any added chemicals or labels to work.

It uses the physical properties of cancer cells to detect them. Cancerous breast tissues, which hold more water and are denser than healthy tissues, interact differently with microwave radiation. These differences, known as dielectric properties, make it possible to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells.

The findings of the research published in the Microsystem Technologies journal, showed that the sensor is sensitive in detecting T47D cancer cells due to their high density and permittivity.

It is also highly effective at distinguishing cancerous cells from healthy breast cells, offering improved sensitivity compared to existing technologies.

“A small cavity is etched into the transistor under the gate area, and an equivalent material of biological sample of cells is placed in the cavity to check the sensitivities of the device. The sensor then reads changes in electrical signals based on the properties of the sample, essentially ‘sensing’ whether the cells are cancerous or healthy,” said Prof. Prasanna Kumar Sahu, Department of Electrical Engineering, NIT Rourkela.

“Because cancer cells like T47D have a higher dielectric constant than healthy ones like MCF-10A, the sensor picks up these differences quickly and with high precision,” Sahu added.

Another key feature of the developed technology is its affordability. TFET-based biosensors are affordable compared to conventional testing methods and other existing FET-based biosensors.

The developed technology holds significant promise for future medical applications, resulting in low-cost, easy-to-use diagnostic devices that bring early breast cancer detection to clinics, mobile testing units, and home settings.

As the next step, the research team is exploring potential collaborations for fabrication and scientific validation of the developed technology.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is why we need to invest more in our technical institutes! NIT Rourkela making India proud with affordable healthcare solutions. Early detection can save so many lives, especially in rural areas where mammography machines are rare. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
As someone who lost their aunt to breast cancer, this news gives me hope. Current tests are so expensive that many women ignore symptoms until it's too late. Hope the government fast-tracks this for public use. Well done NIT Rourkela team!
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Arvind S.
The science sounds impressive but I hope they've done enough field testing. Many Indian innovations fail when scaled up. Still, kudos for trying to solve a real problem - cancer diagnosis costs are criminal in private hospitals.
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Sunita R.
Make in India at its best! 👏 This could be revolutionary for women's health. But please ensure it reaches the grassroots - our ASHA workers should be trained to use such devices in village health camps.
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Vikram J.
The TFET technology sounds promising but how soon can this be commercialized? Research papers are one thing, actual medical devices are another. Hope some Indian pharma company picks this up instead of waiting for foreign collaboration.
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Neha P.
As an engineering student, this interdisciplinary approach inspires me! Combining semiconductor tech with medical diagnostics - this is the future. Hope more colleges focus on such practical innovations rather than just theoretical studies.

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