The breakthrough device invented by the University of Notre Dame in the United States adopts an innovative method to 'listen' to cell conversations. In the future, this technology will help improve the diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. The relevant paper was published in the new issue of the journal 'Nano'. Scientists have long known that RNA plays a messenger role in cells, translating DNA information to help cells produce proteins. Recently, scientists have discovered that certain types of RNA exist outside the cell wall. These extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are located in a small carrier "bottle", which flows along the body fluid like a "drift bottle" and transmits information to other cells. The new discovery of exRNA also raises an enticing possibility: using exRNA as a way to "listen" to cell conversations. Researchers say these exRNAs are "gold mines of information". They can carry early warning signals of cancer, heart disease, AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Using exRNA to diagnose diseases is not only more effective, but also faster and cheaper than existing methods, as there is enough exRNA in a small amount of blood or other body fluid samples to indicate the presence of many diseases. The new technology uses a combination of pH and charge to separate exRNA carriers. Although exRNA carriers overlap in size and weight, each type of carrier has a unique "isoelectric point" - the pH value of a molecule without charge on its surface. The device developed based on this is very compact and can be mastered with one hand. The flow in the middle of the device seems to be a stream of water. But there are some unique aspects of this water flow that cannot be seen with the naked eye, namely the presence of a pH gradient. The water on the left is highly acidic, with a pH value roughly the same as that of a cup of grapefruit juice. The water on the right is strongly alkaline, with a pH value similar to a bottle of ammonia water. This gradient is driven by specially designed chip driven double-sided thin films, making the device cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and more efficient to operate. Using this method, the research team was able to produce very pure samples (up to 97% purity) with less than 1 milliliter of plasma, saliva, or urine. Compared to the current method that requires approximately a day of testing time, this process can comprehensively classify samples in just half an hour. [Editor in Chief Circle] Early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment, achieving these "early" goals, even if unfortunately suffering from cancer, there is a high chance of returning to normal life. How to achieve scientific early screening? The common method is to perform imaging examinations. In recent years, checking the content of certain markers in the blood has also become a routine item in physical examination packages. The method introduced in the article detects extracellular RNA, which carries early warning signals for certain diseases. As long as these signals can be identified, early intervention in diseases can be achieved. With less than one milliliter of body fluid and just half an hour of analysis, the new early screening method provides the opportunity for treatment to outperform cancer cells. Author: Zhang Jiaxin (Xinhua News Agency)
Edit：GuoGuo Responsible editor：FangZhiYou
Source：people.cn
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