Chip to Capture Cancer Cells

Microfluidic chips have been useful in capturing biomarkers and pathogens, but thus far they haven’t been particularly apt at analyzing cells in the blood-particularly cancer cells.  Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, however, have a cleverly designed chip that swirls blood in such a way that specific cancer cells adhere to fixed antibodies-in effect giving an alternative to taking a biopsy. In fact, the chip can retain clusters of cells, indicating early metastases.  The development group, headed by Mehmet Toner, anticipates another two years to finalize the design and begin clinical testing.          MORE

Image Credit: PNAS and Technology Review