Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Germany. Around a quarter of all deaths in 2023 were attributable to cancer, with around 500,000 new cancer diagnoses added each year. NanoDetect aims to optimise a novel in vitro diagnostic method called relaxometry: Nanodiamonds are introduced into living cells as optical sensors to identify individual tumour cells with abnormal metabolism. In addition to the FH Münster, the project involves the TAFH Münster GmbH, the University Medical Centre Groningen, Osnabrück University, the Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), and, as industry partners, Jüke Systemtechnik GmbH, bill-X GmbH and QT Sense. 

“We are utilising the fluorescent properties of nanodiamonds with nitrogen vacancies, also known as NV centres,” explains Dr Ludwig Horsthemke, a research assistant in the Laboratory for Semiconductor Components and Bus Systems at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The idea is to introduce these modified nanodiamonds into a tissue sample and excite them from below with laser light, causing the NV centres to emit red light. After a defined dark period, the laser is switched on again and the intensity of the fluorescence is measured. The so-called relaxation time can be determined from the decay of this intensity as a function of the dark period. This yields a time pattern that allows researchers to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of a cancer therapy and the condition of the tissue. “When a drug takes effect, tumour cells experience what is known as oxidative stress. The free radicals produced within the cell interact with the NV centres and alter their spin states, causing the relaxation time to decrease,” explains Marina Peters, a research assistant in the Laboratory for Quantum Technology at the Department of Engineering Physics.

Relaxometry is superior to conventional methods in several respects. For example, only a small number of cells are required for an analysis, and individual cancer cells can be identified. Furthermore, the measurement method is more specific for relevant markers, less prone to interference, and even allows for a kind of “live” measurement. “The method offers a wide range of potential applications,” emphasises project leader Prof. Dr Markus Gregor. These range from use in scientific research laboratories to diagnostics directly in hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Moreover, the research project aims to facilitate long-term and successful collaboration between the participating research and industry partners in the German-Dutch border region in future technologies such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. 

NanoDetect is being carried out as part of the Interreg VI Germany-Netherlands programme and is co-funded with just under 3.44 million euros by the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZ), the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the State Chancellery of Lower Saxony, as well as the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Flevoland, Overijssel, Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg.

Text source: FH Münster