Irish tech experts are developing miniature implants to try to tackle one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Glioblastoma Multiforme can kill within weeks but Project GLADIATOR is aiming to detect and cure the cancer from within the brain.
Boffins at Waterford’s Telecommunications, Software and Systems Group (TSSG) are working on an implant based in the brain to control the cancer.
Part of Waterford Institute of Technology, TSSG scientists will work on living cells to control secretions of molecules to kill the cancer.
If successful, medics should then be able to use a wireless device to collect information on the tumour, control its growth and treat it.
The “potentially life-changing” project aims to boost survival and ease recovery among sufferers decreasing pressure on hospitals.
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Irish experts will work alongside academics from Cyprus, Finland, Norway, Germany, the USA and Japan as part of the project.
The project will last four years and experts will investigate power and communication requirements of the device.
Irish scientists have been specifically tasked with investigating the transmission of encoded messages via the engineered cells.
The international €6 million Horizon 2020 funded project is already underway and is expected to boost life expectancy and reduce drug toxicity.
Technology developed through the investigation is also expected to economically benefit existing markets.
Research director at TSSG Dr. Sasitharan Balasubramaniam said that such a technological development would allow medics to control tumour progression.
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Dr Balasubramaniam said: “The comprehensive theranostic solution for brain malignancies is set to be a significant medical breakthrough”.
“Currently, highly complex malignancies such as brain tumours have a very grim prognosis, despite recent progress in their treatment and management”.
He said he expects the device will have “technological and clinical developments” as well as a “high socioeconomic impact”.
TSSG’s Dr. Michael Barros said: “Surgery for this form of brain cancer is very traumatic as the cancer is embedded deep within the brain”.
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He said the system would “use wireless signals to control implanted bio-nanomachine engineered cells within the brain”.
Signals would be used “for sensing and treatment, and to send signals back to an external computing device that will determine the next best course of action”.
