New light-emitting biomaterial created

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have created a new light-emitting biomaterial that might improve tumor imaging.

The new material developed at the University of Virginia is an oxygen nanosensor that couples a light-emitting dye with a biopolymer, thereby simplifying the imaging of oxygen-deficient regions of tumors.

Such tumors are associated with increased cancer aggressiveness and are particularly difficult to treat, researchers said, noting the new oxygen nanosensors one day may also be used for the diagnosis and detection of diseases and for planning treatment strategies.

The research, which included scientists at the Duke University Medical Center, is reported in the online edition of the journal "Nature Materials.'