Paper to detect cancer

Sangeeta Bhatia of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, has developed a paper that can detect cancer. The paper test relies on nanoparticles that interact with tumour proteins (proteases) that release hundreds of biomarkers that can be detected in a patient’s urine.

For developing countries, it is a major breakthrough technology since it bypasses the use of expensive specialised equipment. The paper test can easily be carried out in a rural setting and its picture could be transmitted to a remote caregiver through a mobile phone for further investigations.