Tumor-targeting fluorescent bacteria illuminate cancer for precision surgery
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Jul-2025 00:11 ET (21-Jul-2025 04:11 GMT/UTC)
A joint research team led by Dr. SeungBeum Suh (Center for Bionics) and Dr. Sehoon Kim (Center for Chemical and Biological Convergence) at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Sang-Rok Oh), and Professor Hyo-Jin Lee at Chungnam National University Hospital, has developed a next-generation intraoperative imaging platform using engineered beneficial bacteria that emit fluorescence specifically at tumor sites.
Surgery has advanced due to innovations in anesthesiology, aseptic techniques, and antibiotics. Minimally invasive techniques reduce patient trauma but increase equipment complexity and costs. Surgical robots address these challenges, improving medical efficiency. This review summarizes their evolution, clinical status, advantages, challenges, and future directions like intelligence and specialization to promote their clinical and technological development.
Technology developed at Swansea University has won funding to help deliver better battery systems to Sub-Saharan Africa.