Funding win for project that places UOW at the forefront of medical innovation
A University of Wollongong (UOW) project that aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients by transforming medical imaging and radiotherapy has been awarded funding through the Australian Government's Critical Technologies Challenge Program.
The project, known as LANTERN, is led by Honorary Fellow Dr Saree Alnaghy from the School of Physics and has been awarded $350,203 in feasibility funding.
Dr Alnaghy and his team will develop an advanced imaging system using state-of-the-art quantum photon-counting detectors. This cutting-edge technology promises to revolutionise the way radiotherapy is delivered by significantly enhancing imaging quality, particularly for challenging cases like brain tumours.
The improved imaging will allow clinicians to pinpoint tumours with greater precision, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
"Cancer patients deserve the best care, no matter where they live or what resources are available to them. This project is about making advanced imaging and treatment more accessible and improving outcomes for patients, all while reducing costs for the healthcare system," Dr Alnaghy said.
"Currently, radiotherapy relies on imaging systems that are less effective at distinguishing tumours from surrounding tissues.
"Australia has only four advanced MRI-linac machines, which provide superior imaging but are costly and not widely available. LANTERN will fill this gap by offering a cost-effective solution that can be integrated into existing radiotherapy machines, ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge cancer care.
The LANTERN system is designed to address two critical challenges in radiotherapy: the limited accessibility of high-quality imaging for patients in rural and regional areas, and the need for real-time imaging that can adapt to changes in a patient's anatomy during treatment.
By improving tumour targeting and reducing side effects, the project has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for cancer patients.
"This project is not only a leap forward for cancer treatment but also a milestone for Australia's National Quantum Strategy," Dr Alnaghy said.
"The use of quantum photon-counting detectors places UOW at the forefront of medical technology innovation, showcasing how quantum breakthroughs can address pressing healthcare challenges."
Dr Alnaghy and his team have already developed a prototype system that demonstrates a fourfold improvement in imaging quality over traditional technologies. This grant will allow the team to further refine the technology and prepare it for integration into standard clinical workflows.
The LANTERN project is supported by partnerships with key industry leaders, including Siemens Healthineers and ADVACAM, the world leader in photon-counting detector technology. These collaborations will ensure that the system is rigorously tested and ready for commercialisation.
Once complete, the LANTERN technology will be positioned for adoption by radiotherapy centres and hospitals, offering life-saving benefits to patients and healthcare providers worldwide.
The Critical Technologies Challenge Program invites solutions to market-led challenges of national significance using quantum technologies.
The program aims to drive greater awareness and uptake of quantum technologies in Australia in line with the National Quantum Strategy, by creating stronger ties between quantum researchers, quantum businesses and technology end-users.
