Carbon nanotubes used more easily detect cancer cells, HIV

Cancer’s not slowing its march to ruining as many lives because it possibly can, so it’s always pleasing to listen to of any new developments that act as hurdles. The newest on the earth of disease-prevention comes from Harvard University , where researches have created a dime-sized carbon nanotube forest (read: a whole lot nanotubes, like those shown above) that may be used to trap cancer cells when blood passes through. many years back, Mehmet Toner, a biomedical engineering professor at Harvard, created a tool just like the nano-forest that was less effective because silicon was used in place of carbon tubes. Today, Toner has teamed up with Brian Wardle, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, who together have redesigned the unique microfluid device to work eight times more efficiently than its predecessor. The carbon nanotubes make diagnosis an excellent bit simpler , largely due to antibodies attached to them that help trap cancer cells as they go through — something that’s being tailored to work with HIV in addition. Things are beginning to look moderately promising for cancer-stricken individuals, as hospitals have already began using the unique device to detect malignant cells and ultimately prevent them from spreading — here’s hoping it’s qualified for mass adoption sooner instead of later.

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This post is tagged: aeronautics and astronautics, associate professor, biomedical engineering, carbon nanotube, disease prevention, harvard university, new developments