Sunday, May 25, 2014

New low cost accurate test for pancreatic cancer

The BBC reports that a 15 year old student, Jack Andraka, has developed a low cost highly accurate test for detecting the early stages of pancreatic cancer.     The method uses antibodies specific to a pancreatic cancer molecule found in the blood.  The antibodies are inserted in the nanotubes on a test strip.  If the problematic molecule is detected, the carbon nanotubes collapse and change the electrical conductivity of the paper strip. 

The test strip costs 5 cents to produce and takes 5 minutes.  The basic test strip technology can be used for many other diseases.  Similar products hold the promise for low cost early detection of a host of diseases. 

Jack Andraka -  3min.
 
Jack Andraka - 15 minutes
 

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