Home >
Nanotechnology to provide portable genetic risk detection (breast cancer)
Currently being developed by the IST project OPTONANOGEN, a prototype of the system will initially be used to detect mutations of the BRCA1 gene that are responsible for between 2.5 and 5 per cent of the incidence of breast cancer in women. The final system, however, could be used to detect virtually any genetic anomaly as well as proteins linked to viruses, chemical contamination in food or water pollution.
(I-Newswire) - "There are a broad variety of applications for this system, although the main market is in biomedicine," explains OPTONANOGEN coordinator Laura Lechuga at the National Microelectronics Centre ( CNM ) in Spain. "Though commercial biosensing systems exist they are larger and designed to be used in laboratories. We are the first to develop a fully integrated system on a small scale in this field."
The final device will be roughly the size of a human hand, allowing it to be used in doctors' surgeries to determine the genetic predisposition of a patient to certain diseases in a matter of minutes. That compares to the hours or even days it can take to carry out the same analysis in a laboratory, which is generally only used to test high risk groups such as women with a family history of breast cancer.
To detect genetic mutations the OPTONANOGEN system uses an array of 20 microcantilevers coated in nucleic acid that react when they come into contact with a DNA sample displaying the genetic anomaly. The sample is injected into the device via a microfluidic header and the deflection of the cantilevers - by as little as 0.1 to 0.5 nanometres - is picked up by a photodetector array based on the reflection of light off the cantilevers from Vertical Cavity Surface Emission Lasers ( VCSELs ).
"We've patented both the microcantilever set up and the optical detection system and we are due to take out a third patent on the microfluidic header, which is unique in that it uses individual inlet and outlet paths for each cantilever rather than one for the whole array, something that has never been achieved before," Lechuga says.
The cantilever array and microfluidic header are due to be low-cost components that would be disposable if used for medical analysis but which could be cleansed and reused for other applications.
After evaluation trials later this year, a commercial variant of the system is likely to be produced within one or two years by Sensia, a 15-month-old spin-off company from the CNM.
Laura Lechuga Biosensors Group Centro Nacional de Microelectronica ( IMM-CNM-CSIC ) Madrid Spain Tel: 34-91-8060789 Email: laura@imm.cnm.csic.es optonanogen.com
Tara Morris tmorris@gopa-cartermill.com 322-286-1985 IST Results cordis.lu/ist/results
If you have questions regarding information in this press release contact the company listed below. I-Newswire.com is a press release service and not the author of this press release. The information that is on or available through this site is for informational purposes only and speaks only as of the particular date or dates of that information. As some companies / PR Agencies submit their press releases once per week/month or quarter, make sure check the official company website for accurate release dates as our site displays the I-Newswire.com distribution date only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information on or available through this site, and we are not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions in that information or for actions taken in reliance on that information.
ThePennyStockGuru.com is pleased to offer its stock alerts service to the investing community. Investors who are interested in stocks on the move and in the news can receive FREE Alerts by visiting the following link: http://www.ThePennyStockGuru.com
Players can win thousands of dollars on a daily, weekly and per league basis by playing PSX developed by MySportsBroker Ltd. The PSX tests the players’ knowledge of sports in a contest environment.
Serious rockers buy Guitar Hero 3 bundle because they take the game seriously. As soon as the latest Guitar Hero installment has been released, they want to get their hands on these as soon as possible. Like in the case of the Guitar Hero III game.
The Webkinz Toys are a hit to kids today. They are like the blockbuster movie when it comes to toys. If you go to kids´ bedrooms, chances are you would see these high tech dogs and cats on their shelves.
Atlantic Street Capital Partners secures the management consulting services of Ahern and Associates to develop a long term growth strategy for future transportation acquisitions.
So you´re out there to get disability insurance but you have no idea how much these plans normally cost. You can canvas through the insurance companies and compare which plans provide you with the best rate that go with your lifestyle and budget.
Bank Foreclosure Auction becoming the new style in the United StatesThe first and foremost doubt that many people might get is regarding the profit that could be god with a bank foreclosure auction. In fact it is a real good means to see some pro
You´re renting a home. It could be an apartment or it could be a unit in a condominium. Don´t join those people who think that they need not buy renters insurance because this is a contrary belief.
There is way for you to get the cash you need If you have to consolidate the high interest of your credit card debt or you have to pay the college tuition of your children. You can opt for VA loan refinancing for home equity. This can make great impr
