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A new lab-on-a-chip can identify breast cancer among women with tiny samples of blood and breast tissue, say scientists.
Noha Mousa from University of Toronto says, “The concentration of the hormone oestrogen and its metabolites, the products of metabolised oestrogen in breast tissue, are known to be significantly increased in breast cancer patients and is therefore believed to increase the risk of breast cancer.”
"Breast oestrogen levels in women at risk are not routinely measured because conventional techniques require large tissue samples obtained through invasive biopsies," adds Mousa.
A group of scientists from the Toronto University used a new technology called digital microfluidics - where instead of moving electrons across tiny wires, minute droplets of fluid are manipulated electrically on the surface of a microchip.Because these devices can be used to integrate multiple lab functions, this type oftechnology is sometimes called a "lab-on-a-chip".
Aaron Wheeler, director of the Wheeler Microfludics lab at the U-T said, “We applied this technique for the first time to analyse hormones in tiny clinical samples - we looked at blood, serum and breast cancer tissue.”
"We developed methods to move droplets of several different kinds of reagents - a substance consumed during a chemical reaction - to extract hormones and purify them, all on a device that can fit into the palm of a hand," adds Wheeler.
The inaugural issue of Science Translational Medicine will include these findings.
