Scientists develop prototype of more sensitive test for cancer

A new technology called “optical stretching” promises a simpler and more effective method of distinguishing cancer cells from their healthy counterparts.

Speaking this week at a meeting organised in Warwick by the Institute of Physics, Professor Josef Käs of the University of Leipzig described how he and his collaborator, Dr Jochen Guck, have used the technology to develop an exceptionally sensitive test for cancer.

Biologists have long known that as healthy cells undergo transformation into tumour …