Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have developed an innovative tool that enhances surgeons’ ability to detect and remove cancer cells during cryosurgery, a procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy tumours. This breakthrough technology involves a specialised nanoscale material that illuminates cancer cells under freezing conditions, making them easier to distinguish from healthy tissue and improving surgical precision.
Detailed in the study Freezing-Activated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Precise Fluorescence Cryo-Imaging of Cancer Tissue in the journal of the American Chemical Society, the Trabolsi research group at NYUAD designed a unique nanoscale Covalent Organic Framework (nTG-DFP-COF) that responds to extreme cold by increasing its fluorescence.
This makes it possible to clearly differentiate between cancerous and healthy tissues during surgery.
This advancement not only improves the accuracy and safety of cryosurgical procedures-helping surgeons preserve more healthy tissue while removing cancer cells – but also combines diagnostic and treatment functions into one platform. This could reduce the need for repeat surgeries and speed up patient recovery. “We believe this is a transformative tool that could revolutionise cancer surgery,” said Farah Benyettou, Ph.D., a research scientist in the Trabolsi Research Group at NYU Abu Dhabi.
“By making tumor removal more precise, this technology has the potential to reduce additional surgeries and accelerate patient recovery. It’s a major step forward in treating aggressive, hard-to-target cancers.”
“This breakthrough bridges the gap between imaging and therapy, providing surgeons with a real-time tool to visualise and remove cancer with unprecedented precision,” said Ali Trabolsi, Professor of Chemistry and principal investigator of the Trabolsi Research Group at NYU Abu Dhabi.
“By integrating fluorescence imaging with cryosurgery, we are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment and offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat tumours.”
Recently, NYUAD received a commitment of over $1 million from the Laidlaw Foundation to establish a landmark partnership – the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Laidlaw Scholars Programme at NYUAD is dedicated to developing the next generation of global leaders.
The programme will launch with its first cohort in spring 2026, offering selected undergraduates an immersive two-year experience. A combination of leadership development and training, an experiential research project, and a community-based work experience, this comprehensive programme empowers real-world impact. Students also join a global network of over 2,500 Laidlaw Scholars from leading institutions around the world.
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