Associate Professor Jung-Jae Lee in the Department of Chemistry received an Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA/R15) grant from the NIH to support research in advance cancer detection and improve surgical precision using innovative glowing nanoprobes inspired by fireflies.
The nanoprobes are specifically designed to target head and neck cancers, with the goal of identifying tumors and lymph node metastases. They are more accurate than current imaging methods, which often fail to detect smaller cancers. Early studies in mice have shown promising results, demonstrating the ability to detect tumors at depths exceeding 4 cm with remarkable clarity. This cutting-edge technology will enhance surgical outcomes, reduce complications, and ultimately improve survival rates for cancer patients.