Detecting cancer in living cells

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have succeeded in constructing a new type of sensor that can placed in both healthy and malignant cells to detect a range of molecules known to cause damage to DNA. The sensors are constructed from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) wrapped in DNA and can detect chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin, toxins and free radicals. They can be used to monitor living cells over a period of time and also to pinpoint the position of molecules within cells.

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