Now, a 15-minute test for cancer, multiple sclerosis diagnosis
October 2nd, 2008 - 2:23 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Oct 1 (ANI): Testing for diseases including cancer and multiple sclerosis could soon take 15 minutes and would be as simple as using a pregnancy test kit, say scientists.
The team led by scientists at the University of Leeds have developed a hand-held device that can test for serious diseases from a tiny blood or urine sample in just 15 minutes.
The biosensor technology uses antibodies to detect biomarkers, which are molecules in the human body and are often a marker for disease. Thus, the biomarkers make the technology much faster than current testing methods.
The technology could be used in doctors” surgeries for more accurate referral to consultants, and in hospitals for rapid diagnosis.
Tests have shown that the biosensors can detect a wide range of analytes (substances being measured), including biomarkers present in prostate and ovarian cancer, stroke, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and fungal infections.
The team is hoping that the biosensors are versatile enough to test for diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV.
It was a European collaboration of researchers and commercial partners in a 2.7 million Euro project called ELISHA, which developed the technology. ELISHA was co-ordinated by Dr Paul Millner from the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds, and managed by colleague Dr Tim Gibson.
“We believe this to be the next generation diagnostic testing. We can now detect almost any analyte faster, cheaper and more easily than the current accepted testing methodology, said Millner.
Right now, blood and urine are tested for disease markers using a method called ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay), which was developed in the 1970s. The process takes an average of two hours to complete, is costly and can only be performed by highly trained staff.
The researchers believe that their new technology which provides results in 15 minutes or less - could be developed into a small device the size of a mobile phone into which different sensor chips could be inserted, depending on the disease being tested for.
“We”ve designed simple instrumentation to make the biosensors easy to use and understand. They”ll work in a format similar to the glucose biosensor testing kits that diabetics currently use,” said Millner. (ANI)
- Diagnosis takes only 15 minutes with new biosensor - Oct 02, 2008
- Rapid cardiac biomarker testing system developed - Dec 09, 2009
- New lab-on-a-chip blood testing device gives results in less than 30 mins - Jan 10, 2011
- Electronic Nose can sniff tuberculosis - Nov 06, 2011
- Special paper can sniff poison in drinking water - Jan 09, 2010
- Early warning signs for prostate cancer identified - Nov 07, 2010
- Urine test can detect tuberculosis, say Delhi scientists - Aug 05, 2011
- Paper strips will promptly detect harmful bugs in pools - May 01, 2012
- New test for bladder cancer diagnosis - Jun 26, 2010
- Now, blood tests can detect Alzheimer's disease before symptoms occur - Feb 12, 2011
- Scientists tackle major obstacle in developing breathalyzers - Dec 29, 2010
- Chandigarh lab, northeast varsity work on cancer detector - Dec 01, 2011
- Groundbreaking technology to detect Alzheimer's developed - Jan 07, 2011
- Biosensor shows promise for cancer diagnosis - May 16, 2012
- Powerful biomarker panel for early detection of breast cancer discovered - Dec 17, 2010
Tags: accurate referral, biomarkers, biosensor technology, biosensors, commercial partners, diagnostic testing, dr tim, elisha, euro project, fungal infections, minute test, molecules in the human body, multiple sclerosis diagnosis, paul millner, pregnancy test kit, rapid diagnosis, testing methodology, tim gibson, university of leeds, urine sample