The circuit board for the biosensor. (Credit: Minghan Xian, et al.)

Researchers have developed a breakthrough handheld biosensor that enables quick and accurate detection of oral cancer. The biosensor consists of a sensor strip similar to a glucose strip and a circuit board for detection.

Test fluid is introduced into a small liquid channel on the tip of the sensor strips. A few electrodes sit within the liquid channel, and the surface of these electrodes contain antibodies to specific proteins present within human oral cancer lesions. Short electrode pulses get sent through these electrodes during detection, and then the circuit board module analyzes this signal and outputs a four-digit number that correlates to its concentration.

The team is now looking forward to demonstrating the integrated solution for cancer and other disease detection via a handheld point-of-care device with a short detection time and low detection limit.

The next step in this continuum is to conduct the analysis using in vivo samples of CIP2A in oral cancer and non-oral cancer patients with biopsy as a gold standard.

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