Detection of DNA is critical in diagnosing genetic diseases, but current approaches are somewhat cumbersome and time-consuming. So engineers from Johns Hopkins University have developed a new ultrasensitive, quick and easy technique to detect DNA. This system is the first one to use quantum dots to detect DNA. The device, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), was already tested to detect a critical mutation of ovarian cancers. This method could have important uses in medical research, such as identifying people at risk of developing cancer in a very early stage. Read more for other details, pictures and references.
Sources: Johns Hopkins University news release, December 5, 2005; and various web sites
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