Detecting cancer in living cells

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have succeeded in constructing a **new type of sensor** that can placed in both healthy and malignant cells to detect a range of molecules known to cause damage to DNA. The sensors are constructed from **carbon nanotubes** (CNTs) wrapped in DNA and can detect chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin, toxins and free radicals. They can be used to monitor living cells over a period of time and also to pinpoint the position of molecules within cells. More on "nano":[ http://www.nano.org.uk/nanomednet/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=351&Itemid=1]

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