Google Finds Breakthrough in Cancer Detection

Google is researching and developing a method of using nanoparticles to track cells, aiming to detect early signs of cancer and some other diseases in humans.

Cancer detection using nanotechnology is expected to become an early warning system, helping to quickly provide timely and proactive treatment measures. Illustration photo: WSJ

Nanoparticles are smaller than a thousandth of a blood cell. They seek out and attach to cells, proteins, or other molecules in the body to detect cancer. Nanoparticles are administered into the body through a pill. A small magnetic wristband acts as a monitoring tool.

Andrew Conrad, head of the Life Sciences group at Google X, said diagnostic tests could be done using just this method. Google hopes it will become a warning system for cancer and other diseases, leading to more effective treatments.

Responding to questions about personal information and privacy, Conrad confirmed that Google will not collect and store medical data. Instead, they plan to license it to parties willing to process the information and study its security. Life Sciences hopes to be able to exploit the data to come up with more proactive treatment solutions.

According to WSJ, experts believe that the technology could become a reality within the next 5-7 years and will face many technological and social challenges. The research team must determine the outer coating that helps the nanoparticles connect to special cells. Meanwhile, Google has not yet determined the number of nanoparticles needed for the system to work. In addition, the wearable device needs to have a suitable design, not too large but just enough to accommodate a battery that does not need to be charged regularly.

Chad A. Mirkin, director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University, said the system would require higher regulatory standards than conventional diagnostic tools.

Nanotechnology is believed to be effective in the medical field, but so far only a few successful products have been developed. The US government has invested more than 20 billion USD in researching this technology since 2001.

According to VnExpress