Fastest Cancer Test Developed by Australian Scientists! This '10 Minute Test' Will Help with Quick Diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have developed a 10-minute test that can detect the presence of cancer cells in the body. In a recent study published by Nature Communications, explained that the test can determine whether a tumour is present in the human body by identifying a unique DNA nanostructure that is common to all types of cancer. The test was developed after researchers from the University found that cancer forms a unique DNA structure when placed in water. HPV Virus Causes 99% of Cervical Cancers! Is HPV Test More Accurate Than Pap Smear in Cancer Screening?

Professor Matt Trau said in a statement, “Discovering that cancerous DNA molecules formed entirely different 3D nanostructures from normal circulating DNA was a breakthrough that has enabled an entirely new approach to detect cancer non-invasively in any tissue type including blood.” He further added, “This led to the creation of inexpensive and portable detection devices that could eventually be used as a diagnostic tool, possible with a mobile phone.”

According to researchers, the new diagnostic test demonstrated an accuracy of up to 90 per cent when tested on 200 human cancer samples and normal DNA. Professor Trau also said, “We certainly don’t know yet whether it’s the Holy Grail for all cancer diagnostics, but it looks really interesting as an incredibly simple universal marker of cancer and as an accessible and inexpensive technology that doesn’t require complicated lab-based equipment like DNA sequencing.” The technology however requires further development as it can currently only determine the presence of cancer but not the disease type or stage.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2018 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).