Accurate removal of tumors is the most critical aspect of cancer surgery, yet it remains a significant challenge in clinical practice. Preoperative imaging or ultrasound is often insufficient to fully identify tumor boundaries, forcing surgeons to rely heavily on experience.
The Korea research team has developed a next-generation intraoperative imaging platform using engineered beneficial bacteria that emit fluorescence specifically at tumor sites. The fluorescent signal remains stable in vivo for over 72 hours and clearly highlights tumor regions even within complex internal organs. This enables intuitive, visual identification of tumors with the naked eye during surgery, even under standard surgical lighting, thereby reducing surgical burden.
It can also be integrated with surgical robots and intraoperative imaging systems to enhance surgical precision and shorten procedure time. The ability to interface with widely used fluorescence-guided surgical systems in hospitals. To this end, the team is advancing the platform through convergence with medical imaging equipment, precision drug delivery systems, and comprehensive safety evaluations for clinical application.
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