A research team from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in the southern coastal city of Ulsan has developed an early diagnostic method for lung cancer. (UNIST)
By Kim Seon Ah
Domestic researchers have developed a technology for early diagnosis of lung cancer with just a few drops of blood.
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) on Feb. 13 said research teams led by UNIST biomedical engineering professor Cho Yoon-Kyoung, professor Oh In Jae from Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, professor Kim Mi Hyeon from Pusan National University Hospital and professor Ryu Jeong-Seon from Inha University Hospital developed EV-CLIP, which can diagnose cancer mutations using trace amounts of untreated plasma.
The technology fuses nanovesicles (EVs) from blood with artificial liposomes (CLIPs) containing molecular beacons (nucleic acid molecules) in tubes thinner than a human hair.
Nanovesicles released from cancer cells contain data on genetic mutations like mRNA or miRNA. When molecular beacons bind to these substances, they emit a fluorescent signal.
This method enables cancer diagnosis with just 20 microliters of plasma, or the equivalent of four to five drops of blood.
It can also diagnose cancer early by checking the presence of specific cancer mutations and monitoring residual cancer cells after treatment.
The technology is set for transfer to bio venture LabSpinner, which will use it to make a diagnostic kit easily usable at hospitals.
sofiakim218@korea.kr
