Microbial DNA in Blood Samples May Reveal Who Has Cancer, and Which Type
The study, published in Nature yesterday, may change how cancer is diagnosed, and shape our understanding of how cancer interacts with microbes.
Diagnostics
Diagnostics allow for the identification of cancer types and other crucial biomarkers, and are used right through from discovery to market.
CRUK Funds Development of POC Blood-Based Brain Cancer Test
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has funded a project run by a team of researchers at the University of Bristol to develop a new blood-based test for early diagnosis of brain cancer. The researchers are planning to deploy the point-of-care (POC) assay based on a fluorescent nanophotonics platform, which is a platform that studies the behaviour […]
SARS-CoV-2 Assay Cleared for Clinical Use in Singapore
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority has authorised clinical use of a new test for SARS-CoV-2 according to the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR).
Genetic Sequencing of Novel Coronavirus Indicates “Undetected Spread” in the US
Recent analysis of the genetic sequence of the coronavirus has indicated that the infection may have spread further than we realised.
Initiative to Improve Diagnosis Childhood Viral Lymphomas Using Liquid Biopsy Launched
Researchers hope that the effort will be able to validate liquid biopsy (LB) diagnostic methods for childhood lymphomas that are endemic in the region
NIH-funded Clinical research study on Oesophageal Cancer Announced
John Hopkins University has announced a partnership with Cambridge-based start-up, Capsulomics, to study the detection of oesophageal cancer and Barrett’s oesophagus.
New Diagnostic for Coronavirus Receives CE mark
Yesterday, a test developed by Co-diagnostics for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, received CE marking as the virus nears “pandemic” status. CE-IVD marking indicates that the IVD conforms with relevant EU directives regarding the health and safety of the product.
Sequencing Buyers’ Guide
Get past the hype and bias in sequencing vendor marketing materials, and get an unbiased, highly informed view from a highly qualified professional whose job it is to evaluate sequencing technologies for a world leading healthcare and research institution – the Mayo Clinic. Get a base- to high-level understanding of the sequencing process, to give […]
Brain Imaging Reveals Networks Linked to Increased Suicide Risk
Brain networks associated with suicide have been identified by examining brain images from the past two decades. The study published in Molecular Psychiatry found changes in the prefrontal cortex were important risk factors in suicidal thoughts and behaviours. 800,000 people die globally by suicide every year – one every 40 seconds. It is the second […]
Changes in Gut Microbiota Implicated in Colorectal Cancer
Gut microbiota has wide reaching effects on health and disease. A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, PNAS, has demonstrated that gut imbalance promotes the onset of colorectal cancer, going on to invent a blood test to identify the epigenetic signatures.
New Technique to Identify Genes Causing Rare Diseases
A new data analysis technique has shown success in identifying the faulty genes that cause rare genetic diseases. A Struggle for Diagnosis Despite advances in sequencing technologies, rare disease patients still struggle to receive a diagnosis. Only 30% of patients receive a diagnosis after whole genome sequencing, which is often used as a last resort […]
New Blood Test Can Detect Multiple Types of Cancer
A new blood test has been shown to identify different cancer types with a high degree of accuracy. When cancer cells die, they shed their DNA into the blood. Previous diagnostic tests work by identifying the genetic mutations present in the cancer cell DNA. However, this technique is limited in its ability to distinguish where […]
Using AI to Discover Dark Matter DNA – An Interview with Laxmi Parida, IBM
We talked to Laxmi Parida, Fellow and Computational Genomics Research Lead at IBM, to discuss her recent ground-breaking research paper on an AI algorithm that can distinguish blood cancer subtypes from dark matter DNA. Personalised Medicine for Cancer Patients The future of personalised medicine relies on quick and non-invasive diagnostics. Simple blood tests for tumour […]
Breathalyser Test Can Predict Which Patients Will Respond to Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
A newly developed ‘electronic nose’ can measure chemicals in the breath of small cancer lung patients to determine if they will respond to immunotherapy treatment. Immunotherapy is Changing Cancer Care Immunotherapy treatments harness the body’s immune system to fight the cancer cells, which is transforming the treatment of advanced stage cancers. However, only a small […]
