Detecting the subtle signs of disease

Dr. Grutter and his colleagues are working on a microcantilever sensor - a tiny silicon structure similar to the microchips found in computers. The cantilevers can be coated with a substance that will bind with a biological molecule so that they move when the sensor is exposed to a particular biological signal. This microscopic movement, detected by lasers, will instantly signal the presence of a potential health problem. For instance, high levels of exhaled acetone are an early indicator of congestive heart failure. Doctors could use the tiny sensors to measure the amount of acetone on a patient's breath and begin necessary treatment.

Other potential applications of the microcantilever sensor include measuring blood glucose in people with diabetes, detecting viruses and bacteria, and screening people for genes that increase their risk of developing a disease. While this technology is at least a few years away from widespread application, it could become a faster, cheaper and more sensitive disease detection method.