SUST invents cancer-detecting technology

A team of researchers from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has invented a low-cost technology to detect cancer through analysing blood samples, reports UNB.

The team, led by Yasmeen Haque of SUST Physics department, invented the technology by researching nonlinear optics under the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP).

Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid disclosed the invention at a press conference at the International Mother Language Institute in the city.

"It's completely a new technology and a great success of Bangladesh in the field of education research. It'll be used for the welfare of all," he said.

The new technology will test the blood samples in a completely new method to predict the possibility of cancer in a very short time and at a very low cost, Nahid said.

The 'Detection of Biomarker Using Nonlinear' project was launched in March 2016 under HEQEP.

As part of the project, a nonlinear bio-optics research laboratory was established at the SUST Physics department.

The laboratory has started the work to measure the nonlinear index through sending powerful laser rays into the blood serum of cancer patients.

There is no need to use additional reagent in the new method as required in the biochemical system.

The minister said once the project is implemented successfully, it will be possible to detect the nonlinear characteristics of any blood sample apart from cancer patients.

Yasmeen Haque made a Power-Point presentation on the invention at the press conference.

University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Abdul Mannan, SUST vice-chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed, World Bank chief operations officer Mokhlesur Rahman and project director Gauranga Chandra Mohanta were present.