A group of Bangladeshi scientists at the University of Wollongong (UOW) and Griffith University in Australia has developed a new class of nanomaterials that can detect cancer earlier in a cheaper way.

The newly developed class of enzyme-like nanovehicles can be used as an inexpensive, non-invasive diagnostic tool to detect cancer. It uses gold-loaded nanoporous iron oxide nanocubes for sensing body fluid. It can be used as an inexpensive, non-invasive diagnostic tool to detect cancer.

The system relies less on laboratory equipment and can deliver sensitive and specific results that can be easily and quickly interpreted. The two-step diagnostic method uses the gold-loaded nanoporous iron oxide nanocubes for magnetically isolating the cancer biomarkers, proteins, DNA or RNA in serum and tissue samples collected from cancer patients.

Given that the diagnostic tool has potential applications around the world, the group is now looking for industry partners to collaborate on the project. The scientists aim to develop a portable diagnostic device for less than $5.