|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
In a groundbreaking achievement for cancer treatment and multidisciplinary research, the Centre for Ion Beam Applications (CIBA) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been designated as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Collaborating Centre for Research and Development of Accelerator Science and Multidisciplinary Applications.
This historic recognition, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was recently inked, distinguishes CIBA as the first of its kind in Singapore and elevates it to an elite echelon of global technical centres dedicated to nuclear science and technology.
At the heart of CIBA’s pioneering initiatives is the IAEA Coordinated Research Project (CRP), a visionary endeavour launched with a research coordination meeting in September 2023. This project, which focuses on single-cell imaging and irradiation utilising accelerator-based techniques, promises to be a transformative force in the fields of radiobiology and cancer treatment.
Digital technology serves as the backbone of the IAEA Collaborating Centre’s multifaceted operations. It assumes a pivotal role in data management and analysis, handling the extensive volumes of data generated by accelerator experiments and research endeavours. Advanced data analytics tools are deployed to extract valuable insights from this data, thereby propelling the advancement of accelerator science.
Another vital function of digital technology within the Collaborating Centre is simulation and modelling. These digital simulations are indispensable for optimising accelerator designs, forecasting outcomes, and assessing potential risks. Researchers can explore various scenarios and fine-tune their approaches, resulting in significant time and resource savings.
The integration of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) augments the Centre’s capabilities. These technologies expedite the analysis of complex datasets, facilitate pattern recognition, and optimise accelerator performance. Additionally, AI can automate routine tasks, freeing up researchers for more critical activities.
Documentation and reporting processes are streamlined through digital tools, aiding in the preservation of research findings, experiment protocols, safety procedures, and compliance with IAEA standards. This documentation is essential for transparency, regulatory adherence, and knowledge management.
Besides, digital technology bridges geographical divides, facilitating international collaboration among IAEA Collaborating Centres and partner institutions. Collaborators can effortlessly exchange information, share best practices, and jointly work on research projects. Digital technology serves as an enabler, fostering global cooperation and advancing accelerator science and multidisciplinary applications.
Within the purview of the Collaborating Centre, CIBA’s pioneering research initiatives encompass a wide array of applications. These include using ion beams to identify elemental composition and structural characteristics of materials, with applications ranging from advanced battery development for electric cars to microelectronics, environmental analysis, and biomedical research. Advanced ion beam techniques extend their relevance to space applications and integrated circuit (IC) fault detection, broadening their impact.
CIBA’s cutting-edge proton beam writing techniques have the potential to fabricate nanofluidic lab-on-chip platform technologies. These platforms enable molecular biology analysis, such as genetic sequencing, offering breakthroughs in understanding genetic and molecular processes.
In parallel, CIBA’s researchers are advancing single-ion fluorescence technology, a pivotal field in radiobiology and cancer research. This involves detecting light emitted by single ions, opening new avenues for studying cellular responses to radiation.
The Collaborating Centre’s focus also extends to optimising nuclear and X-ray (synchrotron-based) methods for analysing forensic and cultural samples. One of the most promising realms of research involves enhancing particle accelerators for radiobiology applications.
The ultimate goal is to elevate proton beam therapy, a cutting-edge form of radiation cancer treatment, to a new level of precision and effectiveness. This groundbreaking research endeavours to strengthen international collaborations, partnering with institutions such as the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) and the Singapore Synchrotron Light Source (SSLS).
