Tech joins fight against asbestos cancer
Biomedical scientist Dr Jiayan Liao has been recognised with a prestigious national health award for her cutting-edge technology for the early detection of mesothelioma and other cancers.
AI generated image of cancer cells. Image: Adobe Stock Images
Combining optical technologies with artificial intelligence to detect the smallest amounts of cancer biomarker, Dr Liao’s approach promises earlier diagnosis for patients of a range of cancers.
It’s work that garnered her the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Bernie Banton Investigator Grant Award at a ceremony in Canberra last night. Dr Liao was the highest ranked applicant in the Investigator Grants Emerging Leadership scheme.
The award is named in honour of a leading campaigner who fought for asbestos exposure to be recognised as a cause of mesothelioma.
“Australia has one of the highest rates in the world of this rare and devastating form of cancer, and I’m proud to join the fight using the latest diagnostic technology,” Dr Jiayan Liao says.
“By coupling advancing nanotechnology with sophisticated artificial intelligence, we can create next-generation bioanalytical and imaging tools, as well as pioneering techniques to realise highly sensitive detection.
“While we’re starting with mesothelioma diagnostics, we hope to use similar technologies on other forms of cancer in the future.”
“By developing new tools for early detection, we will provide patients with more options for early treatment and ways to beat the disease,” she explains.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer in the chest and abdomen, with survival rates of less than 10 percent five years after diagnosis. Strongly linked to asbestos exposure, it took the lives of 708 Australians in 2021.
By developing new tools for early detection, we will provide patients with more options for early treatment
Dr Jiayan Liao
Dr Liao’s innovative research harnesses advances in nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and optical engineering in new diagnostic technology that rapidly detects single molecules of biomarker.
While the technology is currently being applied in mesothelioma, its potential is much broader across detection of a range of cancers and other diseases.
The NHMRC Research Excellence Awards are awarded annually to the top-ranked researchers and teams following peer review of applications to the NHMRC’s highly competitive grant schemes, each named in honour of some of the pioneers in health and medical research in Australia.
