Scientists at Princeton University say they have used nanotechnology to make tests to detect diseases, like cancer and Alzheimer's disease, 3 million times more sensitive. <\/p>\n
That means what researchers are calling a breakthrough in nanotechnology and medicine could enable doctors to detect these illnesses at much earlier stages, when they are more treatable. <\/p>\n
\"This advance opens many new and exciting opportunities ... in disease early detection and treatment,\" said Stephen Chou, a Princeton engineering professor, who led the research team. \"You can have very early detection with our approach.\" <\/p>\n
Princeton researchers used nanotechnology to improve a biological test called an immunoassay, which measures the concentration of a substance in a body fluid sample, and is used to find markers for cancers and Alzheimer's, in patients. The test produces a fluorescent glow when the disease is detected. The stronger the presence of the disease, the brighter the test glows. <\/p>\n
However, if only faint, early-stage, traces of the disease are present, the glow can't be detected and the disease could be missed. <\/p>\n
The Princeton researchers used nanotechnology to amplify the fluorescence, which gave them a 3-million-fold improvement in detection. It means the test now can detect disease with 3 million times fewer disease biomarkers present. <\/p>\n
The earlier a cancer can be detected, the sooner treatment can begin, and the better chance a patient has of survival. <\/p>\n
The key to the breakthrough, according to Princeton's researchers, lies in a new nanomaterial they call D2PA. The nanomaterial, which was developed in Chou's lab, consists of a thin layer of gold nanostructures surrounded by glass pillars that are 60 nanometers in diameter. About 1,000 of the pillars can be laid side-by-side and still only be as wide as a human hair. <\/p>\n
Each pillar, spaced 200 nanometers apart, is capped with a gold disk. Each pillar also is speckled with even smaller gold dots. The pillars boost the collection and transmission of light by a billion-fold, Princeton said. <\/p>\n
The university noted that Chou is focused on using the new technology to detect early-stage breast and prostate cancers. He also is working with researchers at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York to develop tests to detect proteins associated with early stage Alzheimer's disease. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Researchers Use Nanotech to Make Cancer 3 Million Times More Detectable<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scientists at Princeton University say they have used nanotechnology to make tests to detect diseases, like cancer and Alzheimer's disease, 3 million times more sensitive. Continue reading