Nanodevices Can 'Hear' Cancer

[Celebration]

http://www.physorg.com/news7980.html

“The stains (dyes) now in use are often toxic and affect how cells react and transmit chemicals,” she added. “The result is that sometimes study results are affected by these issues so that you don’t really know if the cell dies from the cancer or from the dye.”

Cengiz Ozkan says focusing on the electrical signals cells emit is far more benign process and one that holds a great deal of promise, when coupled with nanofabrication (building things at the molecular scale) techniques.

“You effectively listen to the cells. The ones with cancer emit a different signal than healthy ones,”he said. Using DNA and nanotube technologies, Cengiz Ozkan is also developing a drug delivery system that targets the cancerous cells.

[soothsayer]

1. Cool! And future diagnoses may be done thru the light we emit

Study: Human Hands Emit Light

<snip>

Human hands glow, but fingernails release the most light, according to a recent study that found all parts of the hand emit detectable levels of light.

The findings support prior research that suggested most living things, including plants, release light. Since disease and illness appear to affect the strength and pattern of the glow, the discovery might lead to less-invasive ways of diagnosing patients.

<snip>

more at link

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20050905/handlight...