Research & Development World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Nanotech Urine Test Detects Cancer Fingerprints

By Wiebe Van Der Veen, University of Twente | February 5, 2018

Detecting cancer of various types, in a very early stage and using a simple urine sample — that is the ambition of the new startup company NanoMed Diagnostics. Years of research, by scientists from the University of Twente and the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam (VUmc), have led to a new approach using nanotechnology. Together with the new company, the researchers will further develop this research into a test that is ready for clinical use.

Early detection of cancer can really make the difference, in survival rates and in the duration and cost of necessary treatment. In practice, patients go to their doctor at the moment they have complaints or pain. In many cases, this is too late. The current approaches for early diagnostics are often limited to one single type of cancer. Can we develop a non-invasive test on fingerprints of various types of cancer “in one run”? is the question for many researchers worldwide. As an example, American scientists recently developed a blood test for several types of cancer.

At the University of Twente and the VUmc, researchers have worked on early cancer diagnostics for some years now. Albert van den Berg (UT/MESA+) and former VUmc-oncologist Bob Pinedo originally had an idea for a patient-friendly test on colon cancer. The nanotechnology behind this test can now serve as the basis for a urine test, for more than one cancer type. For accelerating these developments, the researchers closely cooperate with the new company. A group of investors, together with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), has made this possible.

The urine test analyses DNA fragments that are “hyper-methylated”: at certain locations of the DNA, methyl groups are attached. These are fingerprints for cancer, including its location in the body. The fact that you can detect bladder cancer in a urine sample may seem self-explanatory, but detecting cervical cancer is also possible. Moreover, there are strong indications that lung cancer leaves early traces in urine as well. Further research has to prove the clinical applicability of the test. For a start, four types of cancer will be examined: bladder cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer.

The hyper methylated DNA fragments are extracted from urine using a structure of “nano pillars.” The next step is unraveling the fragments and detecting fingerprints. This is another step that can be miniaturized to micro or even nanoscale. The UT scientists of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology are experts in this, while their VUmc colleagues link the technology to medical expertise and clinical relevance: can we really distinguish healthy persons from persons with a higher risk and actual patients? NanoMed and the scientific partners expect that it will take about four years to have reliable and validated tests ready for the international markets.

Source: University of Twente

Related Articles Read More >

Floating solar mats clean polluted water — and generate power
Nanodots enable fine-tuned light emission for sharper displays and faster quantum devices
New photon-avalanching nanoparticles could enable next-generation optical computers
New “nose-computer interface” aims to upgrade Rover’s nose for better drug detection methods
rd newsletter
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, trends, and strategies in Research & Development.
RD 25 Power Index

R&D World Digital Issues

Fall 2024 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R&D magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE