Researchers at Heriot-Watt University are pioneering a new method to identify cancerous DNA, potentially reducing the need for painful biopsy surgeries. The team has received over £750,000 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to advance non-invasive cancer detection techniques.
The MicroSNARE project, led by Professor Nicholas Leslie and Professor Maïwenn Kersaudy-Kerhoas, focuses on analysing circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in blood samples, which could provide critical insights into cancer without the need for tissue biopsies. This method is especially promising for early-stage cancer patients, where detecting ctDNA is more challenging due to its low concentration in the bloodstream.
Using blood samples from breast cancer patients, the team aims to develop robotic and microfluidic platforms to improve the accuracy and affordability of ctDNA detection. Collaborating with Dr Olga Oikonomidou from the University of Edinburgh, the project seeks to offer earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes by characterising tumours more effectively.
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