A team of researchers at Yale University have developed a revolutionary microchip detector that can detect cancer and other diseases almost immediately.

The device, which detects biomarkers for prostate and breast cancer using tiny 'nanosensors', is also extremely accurate, with a sensitivity equivalent to finding a single grain of salt dissolved in a large swimming pool.

It is hoped that the device will transform the speed at which blood tests can be carried out by doctors either in surgery or out in the field, as well as boosting early detection rates in serious illnesses such as cancer.

Dr Tarek Fahmy, a member of the development team at Yale University, said: 'Doctors could have these small, portable devices in their offices and get nearly instant readings.

'They could also carry them into the field and test patients on site.'

The accuracy of the device, which scans the patient's blood for specific proteins indicative of cancer and other diseases, also means that the results are less dependent on human interpretation.

The research has been reported in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

In the tests, the scientists used a chip designed to detect the prostate cancer biomarker PSA and the antigen CA15.3, which indicates breast cancer.

Both were detected in less than 20 minutes from a 10 microlitre sample of blood.

The researchers said the blood test could be used to flag up numerous conditions ranging from cancers to heart disease at the same time.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

• Email to a friend

  To:

  Bcc:

  Your email address:

  Message:
• Print version
• Plain text