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Detecting Cancer through Non-invasive Methods A team of Australian and Indian scientists are developing novel tools for detecting cancer non-invasively and with a high level of precision and specificity. The Australian Team Leader, Professor Wei Duan, explains that funding through the Research Fund establish Australia-India (AISRF) substantive is and Strategic helping to long-term collaboration with leading Indian research scientists. “This program brings together Australian and Indian scientists who have overlapping research interest but complementary expertise and thus creates a synergy to boost the productivity of the research of both parties.” Above: Professor Wei Duan working on isolating cancertargeting RNA aptamers Professor Duan describes the outcomes of the project which looks into nanotherapeutics and molecular diagnostics for human cancers which could ultimately lead to improved identification and treatment of human cancers. “The Australian team at Deakin University has developed an RNA aptamer against a cell surface marker for cancer stem cells – the first RNA aptamer of its kind.” RNA aptamers are made up of oligonucleotides which bind to specific target molecules; in this case the target molecule is a cell surface marker for cancer stem cells known as EpCAM. “The RNA aptamer was joined to nanoparticles, developed by the Indian team at the Institute of Life Sciences, to create an aptamer-guided nanocarrier system which was shown to bind to human cancer cells specifically. It was also able to enter the cancer cells to release chemotherapy drugs inside these deadly cells.” “This research will help to overcome the dose-limiting side effects (effects of the drug which prevent higher doses being provided) of current chemotherapy drugs and could provide the basis of an imaging tool for detecting very small tumours.” The ability to identify cancer at an earlier stage allows for treatment to commence at early stage of cancer, and thus lead to better treatment outcomes and improved survival rates and quality of life. Professor Duan’s team is aiming to apply the research findings from this project into oncology clinics in the near future. For more information, please contact Professor Wei Duan at [email protected]. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and the Indian Government Department of Science and Technology through the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.