( er cells from solid tumors as well as h...)Novel ultrafast laser detection of cancer cells also may improve understanding of stem cells

Naviaux looks forward to examining a wider population of cancer cells to validate the method, combining the resources of his Center with Sandia's laser expertise.

A project proposal has been filed with Sandia to support collaborative work between the unique research capabilities of UCSD and Sandia. "There are 300 different cell types in the human body and different mitochondria for each different shape and arrangement," says Naviaux. "We want a library of spectra from different cell types and their cancers."

Aiding stem cell research

Of further interest is that the biocavity laser may be applied not only to identifying the spectra associated with cancer cells but also those associated with stem cells, and how these optical signals change as they differentiate into nerve, muscle, and other tissues. "At present, there's no rapid method for identifying the transitional states [of a stem cell] with the functional cell type it eventually becomes. That process is a mysterious sequence of metabolic and genetic changes." There are, he says, metabolic similarities between stem cells and cancer cells, and researchers would like to clearly identify the differences.

"Stem cells are therapeutic," says Naviaux. "How are their spectra distinct from cancer?"

A difficulty still ahead is viewing cancer cells in fluids taken directly from the body, rather than isolated by type in a flask. This problem will be solved by winnowing out unlikely particles through size and frequency.