The National Science Foundation awarded Tim Muldoon, PhD, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Fayetteville-based University of Arkansas, a $500,000 grant for him to continue his work on an endoscopic probe for colonoscopies.
Here's what you should know.
1. The probe is designed to provide superior images of living tissue within the GI tract and other structures.
2. Mr. Muldoon believes the probe could be a "major development" in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.
3. He said it could also improve the fundamental understanding of the connection between abnormal cell progression and delivery of blood and oxygen in colon tumors.
4. The scope creates unique tissue maps that can help physicians quantify hemoglobin concentrations as well as detect any abnormal blood vessels.
5. Mr. Muldoon's team will test the probe on mice models with colorectal adenocarcinoma, and will then test the device in a therapeutic context in the coming months.