A microfluidic IC which can detect early-stage cancer has been developed by the Riken Advanced Science Institute.
A research team, led by Kazuo Hosakawa, has developed a device which can detect biomarkers in the bloodstream.
These biomarkers are biomolecules called microRNAs which are released by cancers into the bloodstream before any outward symptoms of cancer appear.
The biomarkers are revealed by fluorescence amplified by reagents added to the fluids in the IC.
The result is a rapid - results in 20 minutes - and inexpensive diagnostic tool useable at the point-of-care which could save many lives.
The IC does not need an external power supply to pump the sample through the microchannels, relying on on an internal pressure gradient.