3D Microscopy for Cancer Screening

What is being researched?

High-resolution 3D microscopy of stained cells to determine the earliest signs of cancer and precancer.

What are the expected outcomes and benefits?

Develop the technology base for a lung cancer screening program to increase survival rates from the current 5-year level of about 15%. Presently, there is no screening or early-detection program for lung cancer, whereas nationwide screening programs for cervical, colon, and breast cancers in the USA have reduced mortality significantly.

What are the potential applications?

A world-wide lung cancer screening program and engineering lung cancer to be a treatable disease.

What are some future directions?

A future direction of this academic-industry partnership is the application to other cancers, such as earliest detection of gastric cancer and infectious diseases.

Who is working on it?

Eric Seibel <eseibelhitl.washington.edu>, Rahul Katdare <rahulku.washington.edu>, in collaboration with start-up company Visiongate Inc.

Who is funding this effort?

The Washington Technology Center, RTD program
The National Cancer Institute SBIR category in Virtual Microscopy
Visiongate Inc., Gig Harbor, WA