Optical Biosensor Helps Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

A domestic researcher has developed a microfluidic optical biosensor for the early detection of prostate cancer.
Optical biosensors have become a powerful tool in identifying a variety of biological and non-biological anomalies in the last decade, according to a University of Tehran researcher who examined the use of microfluidic optical biosensors for detecting prostate cancer in her PhD thesis.
“The research aimed to devise an easy and inexpensive method with high sensitivity to identify prostate-specific antigens,” Mona Soroush was also quoted as saying by the news portal of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.
She explained that the antigen identified by the domestic biosensor is the main biomarker of prostate cancer.
“The innovative method presented in this research for the detection of cancer biomarkers in a microfluidic medium provides the necessary information for the production of a practical diagnostic product,” she added.
The researcher stressed that in addition to having optical properties, nanoparticles used in the project also respond to changes in the magnetic field and help separate and concentrate particles on surfaces.
According to Soroush, the fabrication of nanoparticles with both magnetic and optical properties for use in optical biosensors, helped devise a new method for simultaneously using the advantages of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance and optical fiber for the early detection of prostate-specific antigen.
“The production of nanoparticles with optical and magnetic properties for sample detection and concentration, and gaining knowhow related to nanotechnology were among the results of the project,” she said.
The researcher noted that in addition to the biosensor’s application for the early detection of prostate cancer, it is possible to use it in other fields of medical diagnosis and biochemistry by changing the sensor’s diagnostic element.
“The design, development and application of optical biosensors is interdisciplinary and specializations such as microelectronics, micro-electromechanics, molecular biology, biochemistry and micro-nanotechnology are used in its production,” she said.
She noted that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of global cancer death after lung cancer.
“The third main cause of death in Iran is cancer and prostate cancer is one of the most common cases of cancer among Iranian men. Therefore, the production of the domestic microfluidic optical biosensor can considerably help cancer patients,” she said.
Soroush stated that the product was also tested on real samples.

Domestic Diagnostic, Research Antibodies to Help End Imports

A knowledge-based company has produced high quality diagnostic and research antibodies that are cheaper than their foreign counterparts.
Sina Biotech Company has succeeded in meeting the domestic needs of the health sector by producing monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, according to the company’s CEO.
“Domestic antibodies, produced with advanced technologies, are mainly used by laboratory kit manufacturing companies,” Mohammad Mehdi Amiri was also quoted as saying by the news portal of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.
He stated that antibodies have numerous uses in medical research and laboratory diagnosis.
Noting that Iranian companies generally buy antibodies from foreign companies, Amiri noted that Sina Biotech became a pioneer in producing high-quality antibodies to eliminate the need for imports.
“Due to the requisite advanced technology, the production of these antibodies is expensive and requires specialized tools,” he said.
“We are among leaders in the field of diagnosis and research. While the antibodies produced in this company are cheaper than their foreign counterparts, they match them in terms of quality.”
The CEO stated that the possibility of returning them to the company in case of a problem is the main advantage of domestic antibodies, as foreign counterparts do not have official representatives in Iran.
“The domestic demand for these products, sanctions, the high cost of imports and the lack of research budget motivated the knowledge-based company to produce antibodies,” he said.
Amiri said executive organizations could play an effective role by supporting capable domestic companies.
“Identifying manufacturing companies and supporting them by increasing the customs duty on the import of similar products, stopping the allocation of subsidized foreign currency to importers and giving the same to manufacturing companies can help knowledge-based companies and domestic producers of health products,” he said.