Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a chip that can determine if a patient has cancer and the severity of the disease.

From prehistoric to modern civilization

today, you need a room full of supercomputers to analyze the samples and testing take time.But the scientific results, which were published in the renowned journal Nature Nanotechnology, are very promising since they allow the creation of a chip as big as the tip of a finger and sensitive enough to determine the type of cancer and stage of its formation, in just half an hour.In addition to reducing the costs of laboratory tests, doctors have a way to make a rapid initial diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment without delay.The challenges of such technology are enormous and we can already feel such great tools as smartphones and capable of rapid tests.

Nanowires

The chip consists of nanowires sensors that detect cancer biomarkers, which are made of biological molecules indicating the presence and progression of the disease.Researchers have focused mainly on prostate cancer, but said the chip could eventually also detect HIV or swine flu.The IC in question is now part of the engineering phase, that is to say, he'll have to try to mass produce in existing plants, which will not be an easy task. It is too early to talk about marketing, but it is a very important step in the fight against cancer.