A small team of Queensland scientists is using gold to detect cancer in the hope people will one day be able to scan themselves for the disease on their mobile phone.
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Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered a unique DNA nanostructure that appears to be common to all cancers.
They then developed a simple test to detect those structures.
“This led to the creation of inexpensive and portable detection devices that could eventually be used as a diagnostic tool, possibly with a mobile phone,” said Professor Matt Trau, one of the lead researchers on the project.
The tiny molecules that decorate DNA, called methyl groups, are altered dramatically by cancer.
Professor Trau said the team discovered that intense clusters of methyl groups placed in a solution caused cancer DNA fragments to fold into unique three-dimensional nanostructures that could easily be separated by sticking to solid surfaces such as gold.
“We designed a simple test using gold nanoparticles that instantly change colour to determine if the 3D nanostructures of cancer DNA are present,” Professor Trau said.
The technology has proven to be up to 90 per cent accurate in tests involving 200 human cancer samples and normal DNA.
“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,” Professor Trau said.
The team was working to further develop the technology and licence with a commercial partner.
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
