Diagnosis of Cancer by Vibrational Spectroscopy

(R. S. Armstrong, E. A. Carter, P. A. Lay)

Studies have been conducted to develop diagnostic tests for breast cancer using vibrational spectroscopy (USyd Cancer Research Grant). FT-IR spectroscopy offers the potential to develop high throughput diagnostic testing of aspirated tissues by monitoring the changes in the amide (protein) bands and those due to nucleic acids, which both change in malignant as opposed to normal tissues. We are also performing X-ray absorption and vibrational spectroscopic studies on melanoma cells in order to determine the distinguishing chemical signatures of these cells and the effects of anti-cancer drugs on them. Importantly, FT-IR spectroscopy will help develop the potential for rapid screening processes and will provide complementary information on the changes in chemical structures induced by such drugs.