Researchers from the University of Twente have used a chip-based sensor with an integrated laser to detect low levels of a cancer protein biomarker in a urine sample. The technology is more sensitive than previous designs and could lead to noninvasive, inexpensive methods of detecting molecules that indicate the presence or progression of a disease.
The research showed that the sensor was able to perform label-free detection of S100A4, a protein associated with human tumor development, at clinically relevant levels. According to research team leader Sonia Garcia-Blanco, the technology paves the way to faster and more sensitive detection of biomarkers, which enables faster treatment and better outcomes.