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 Research and Development

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Terahertz Technology

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Terahertz waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 100 GHz and 10 THz. Since the 1980s, when it became possible to generate and detect coherent terahertz waves using ultrashort pulse lasers, various scientific and engineering applications utilizing the high signal-to-noise ratio have been explored. At the same time, it has attracted attention as a technology that can provide information that was previously unobservable in life and medical research. However, in addition to the large individual differences in biological samples, the intensity of the generated terahertz waves is unstable due to the excitation laser, making it difficult to obtain systematic results. Therefore, it was only possible to measure dehydrated or crystallized biological related substances, and there were few studies evaluating liquid-based living cells. In recent years, on the other hand, ultrashort pulse laser technology that generates terahertz waves and signal control technology have improved dramatically, and it has become possible to obtain systematic results for biological samples with large individual differences, making it possible to work closely with life and medical researchers.

Our laboratory has successfully developed a terahertz wave chemical microscope (Patent No. 4360687, Patent No. 4183735, US PAT. 830022, etc.) that uses a femtosecond laser to visualize the electric potential distribution caused by various chemical reactions, and is pioneering a variety of application fields.

High-speed cancer cell evaluation device using terahertz  chemical microscope

 

In cancer genome testing, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks prepared for pathological testing are used as the test tissue. The problem with these FFPE blocks is that they take at least 2-3 days to prepare. In addition, there are frequent cases where sufficient DNA cannot be obtained for cancer genome testing due to differences in the techniques used in the preparation process caused by inexperience of the workers, storage conditions, sampling errors, etc., and there is an urgent need to develop human resources.

In this research, we will develop a "rapid diagnostic system for cancer cells" that can measure the number of cancer cells during surgery and evaluate whether a tissue sample is optimal for cancer genome diagnosis. By dramatically shortening the time required for genome analysis, we will be able to shorten testing time and reduce the burden on patients and costs.

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Detection of biologically relevant substances in ultra-trace amounts of solution

Various bio-related substances are elements that are important for maintaining life activities. For early diagnosis of disease, it is essential to detect these bio-related substances with high sensitivity. Blood tests, which are also used in health checkups, are one of the most powerful methods for early detection of disease.

In recent years, it has been discovered that the terahertz wave chemical microscope we developed is capable of detecting biologically relevant substances in ultra-trace amounts of liquid, and this device may be used to enable quick and easy health checks using just a small amount of blood.

So far, we have succeeded in detecting trace amounts of a variety of biologically related substances, including COVID-19-derived proteins, exosomes, histamine, cortisol, and IgG antibodies.

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is a technique that can measure spectroscopic information at low energies (300 µm, 30 1/cm, 4 meV) with a high signal-to-noise ratio. It is expected to be particularly effective for investigating the characteristics of polymeric materials, and is also expected to be useful for measuring biologically related substances. We are measuring various substances using this terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, and are also developing sensors that utilize this measurement principle.

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Superconducting Technology

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In 1911, Kamerlingh Onnes of Leiden University discovered that when mercury is cooled to near absolute zero (4.2 K), its electrical resistance suddenly approaches zero. This was the discovery of the phenomenon of superconductivity. Furthermore, in 1983, Bednorz and Muller discovered that oxide ceramics become superconducting (transition) at a high temperature (35 K) that could not be understood by conventional theory. Since then, materials that transition at even higher temperatures have been discovered, and currently many materials have been discovered that become superconducting with simple cooling using liquid nitrogen.

In our laboratory, we are developing systems that utilize superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), which are devices that take advantage of the unique phenomenon of superconductivity. SQUIDs are capable of detecting magnetic fields with extremely high sensitivity, and are used in medical and physical science research.

Highly sensitive magnetic immunoassay using high-temperature superconducting SQUID

We are developing a system to measure the amount of antigens in a liquid with high sensitivity by detecting the change in the magnetic properties of MNPs that occurs when MNPs are bound to antibodies and react with antigens in a liquid using a high-temperature superconducting (HTS-) SQUID. Such antigen-antibody reaction detection technology can be used in medical research and diagnosis, such as detecting pathogens such as viruses and biological substances. Compared to conventional detection methods using fluorescent labels, the detection method using MNPs has great advantages in medical applications, such as the ability to test in opaque solutions and the need to wash off unreacted antibodies.

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Chem/Bio-Sensors

Ultra-thin film hydrogen sensor

Hydrogen energy has been attracting attention as a clean energy that does not emit carbon dioxide, and a society that utilizes hydrogen, such as hydrogen vehicles and fuel cells, will become a reality in the near future. However, hydrogen is explosive, so there is a demand for hydrogen sensors that can detect hydrogen leaks early. Therefore, we are developing a high-performance hydrogen sensor that has a simple structure, is low cost, and can measure hydrogen concentration at multiple points.

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Access

Kogakubu 3-Gokan (N32), Tsushima Campus,
Okayama University
3-1-1, Tsushimanaka, Kitaku, Okayama, 700-8530 Japan
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〒700-8530 岡山県岡山市北区津島中3ー1ー1 
岡山大学津島キャンパス 工学部3号館(N32)

Contact

Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems,  Okayama University, 
3-1-1, Tsushimanaka, Kitaku, Okayama, 700-8530 Japan
 
〒700-8530 岡山県岡山市北区津島中3ー1ー1 
岡山大学大学院ヘルスシステム統合科学研究科
 
t: 086 251 8130 (local) / +81 86 251 8130 (int'l)
e: kiwa@okayama-u.ac.jp 

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