Device Detects Malignant Mela**ma Type to Prescribe Proper Medication
 

Device Detects Malignant Mela**ma Type to Prescribe Proper Medication
http://www.medgadget.com/wp-content/...9/detector.jpg

Scientists at the Swiss Na**science Institute, the University of Basel, and the University Hospital Basel have developed and have been*testing a device that can screen people with malignant mela**ma for a spcific genetic mutation. About half of malignant mela**ma cases involve the BRAF gene that results in rapid cell division and ***** targeting this type of cancer are available. The problem is that without k**wing if a patient exhibits the mutation, it is dangerous to prescribe the medications since they will **t work and will only cause additional problems.

The new device was used to analyze malignant mela**ma tissue samples and to find whether the relevant genetic sequence is present. It relies on microscopic cantilevers, some of which have a coating to which the particular genetic sequence sticks to. Other cantilevers have a coating without the sequence. RNA isolated from the biopsy samples was then introduced into the device and the molecules that stuck to the cantilevers made them bend. This bending can be detected, pointing to the presence of the searched for mutation.

The whole process, from when the biopsy is taken to when the result is produced, can be done within a day and appropriate therapy administered right after.

From the study abstract in Na** Letters:

We completed a preliminary clinical trial applying cantilever array sensors to demonstrate identification of a BRAFV600E single-point mutation using total RNA obtained from biopsies of metastatic mela**ma of diverse sources (surgical material either frozen or fixated with formalin and embedded in paraffin). The method is faster than the standard Sanger or pyrosequencing methods and comparably sensitive as next-generation sequencing. Processing time from biopsy to diag**sis is below 1 day and does **t require PCR amplification, sequencing, and labels.

Study in Na** Letters: Fast Diag**stics of BRAF Mutations in Biopsies from Malignant Mela**ma…

University of Basel:*Na**tech**logy Supports Treatment of Malignant Mela**ma…

This post Device Detects Malignant Mela**ma Type to Prescribe Proper Medication appeared first on Medgadget.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Medgadget?d=yIl2AUoC8zA http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Medgadget?d=qj6IDK7rITs http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Medg...z0:gIN9vFwOqvQ
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Medgadget/~4/Rxpk4J8oRlY