Disease diagnosis

Improving disease diagnosis using techniques developed at the synchrotron

All diseases are associated with changes in the biochemistry of cells or tissue, which in turn effect the tissue structure. So, theoretically, by analysing the molecular structure of tissue it should be possible to detect the presence of disease.

A varitey of different experimental techniques available at the synchrotron provide information about the molecular structure of living tissue, including small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and infra red spectroscopy. So, we decided to investigate whether these techniques can be used as diagnostic tools.

We are currently working on projects looking at:

• The use of SAXS to identify brain and breast cancers
• Synchrotron infrared micro-spectroscopy for disease diagnosis
• High resolution contrast angiography of organ circulatory systems

In addition, we are investigating how the X-ray imaging techniques being developed by other members of the group can be used to help diagnose disease away from the synchrotron.

Currently we are looking at:

• The application of phase contrast imaging to mammography

Monash researchers involved

• Karen Siu
• Sabeena Sidhu
• Chris Hall
• Bayden Wood
• Ivan Williams
• James Pearson
• Rob Lewis