ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Biology

Distinguishing cancer cells using fractal geometry offers faster diagnosis

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
December 5, 2013 - Updated on January 6, 2014
in Biology, Diseases, Health, News, Research
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
Photo: Rum Bucolic Ape/Flickr
Photo: Rum Bucolic Ape/Flickr

Fractals are non-regular geometric shapes that have the same degree of non-regularity on all scales. Fractals are the kind of shapes we see in nature, basically, and even though the term was first coined only a coupled of decades ago or if this is the first time you’ve heard about fractals, chances have it that you already interact with them on a daily basis. Think of the spirals of pinecone seeds, leaves, trees and rivers (these look like trees, ever noticed that?), electricity driven patterns, galaxies or good old broccoli!

Fractal geometry, due to its ubiquity, has always fascinated scientists. Now, researchers at Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart and the University of Heidelberg found that cancer cells can be very accurately characterized using fractal geometry.

The cell on the right displays a greater degree of fractality than that on the left, which is an indication of its stronger aggressiveness. © MPI for Intelligent Systems
The cell on the right displays a greater degree of fractality than that on the left, which is an indication of its stronger aggressiveness. © MPI for Intelligent Systems

Apparently, cancer cells exhibit a high degree of fractality – a measure of the statistical distribution of the irregularities, of the cell contours – or at least much larger than normal cells. More often than not, chaotic phenomena display an amazingly consistent order when scaled enough. Tumors generally grow chaotically, causing very irregular convexities of varying size on the cell surface.

Fractals, everywhere?

The researchers employed a mathematical method, combined with image recognition software, to see whether  progression can be reliably assessed in a cell simply by studying fractals. By studying the statistical distribution of  the occurrence of structural details on the surface of different tumour cells, the team of researchers were able to identify cells. Not only that, but the method actually proved to be faster than conventional biopsy and to top things over, it also proved capable of distinguishing between different tumours.

 The images show the same cell in an RICM image (on the right) and a bright-field image (left). Small cell protrusions, invisible in bright-field images, can be visualised with RICM. © MPI for Intelligent Systems
The images show the same cell in an RICM image (on the right) and a bright-field image (left). Small cell protrusions, invisible in bright-field images, can be visualised with RICM. © MPI for Intelligent Systems

Diagnosing cancer today is an invasive and complicated procedure. Tissue samples are collected, stained using specific antibodies and biomarkers and then studied for specific markers. This particular method is expensive and only correctly diagnoses 85% of the time.

Using fractal geometry, team of researchers were able to identify cancer cells more reliably and much faster since the cells can be studied under a microscope without requiring special preparation. Next, the scientists plan on implementing the method in clinical trials and study different malignant cell lines and primary cells.

Marker-Free Phenotyping of Tumor Cells by Fractal Analysis of Reflection Interference Contrast Microscopy Images, Nano Letters, online publication 30 September 2013; DOI: 10.1021/nl4030402

RelatedPosts

Scientists find new therapeutic targets that block as much as 99.5% of cancer metastasis in living cells
Rainforest plant may treat pancreatic cancer through ‘antiausterity’ properties
Researchers confirm the first case of bone cancer in dinosaurs
Scientists uncover how aspirin may help stop cancer from spreading
Tags: cancercancer detectionfractalstumours

Share1TweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

A unique eye accessory
Health

Miracle surgery: Doctors remove a hard-to-reach spinal tumor through the eye of a patient

byRupendra Brahambhatt
2 weeks ago
Health

This Futuristic Laser Blood Test May Be the Key to Beating Cancer Early

byTudor Tarita
1 month ago
Health

CT Scans Save Lives But Researchers Now Say They Could Also Be Behind 100,000 Future Cancer Cases

byTibi Puiu
1 month ago
Health

Scientists uncover how aspirin may help stop cancer from spreading

byAlexandra Gerea
2 months ago

Recent news

A Hawk in New Jersey Figured Out Traffic Signals and Used Them to Hunt

May 23, 2025

Anthropic’s new AI model (Claude) will scheme and even blackmail to avoid getting shut down

May 23, 2025

Researchers create contact lenses that let you see in the dark, even with your eyes closed

May 23, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.