A team of scientists at the University of Nottingham has developed a new test that can identify brain tumours in less than two hours. This breakthrough could speed up cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions, potentially saving lives and improving outcomes for patients.
Using a portable DNA sequencing device known as a nanopore, researchers can now match tumour samples to known genetic types almost instantly. Unlike standard methods, which can take days or even weeks, this test gives doctors accurate results during or right after surgery.
How It Works: Fast, Simple, and Accurate
The test relies on a small device that detects changes in electric current as strands of DNA pass through tiny pores. These patterns are then analyzed by special software. The software compares them to a large database of brain tumour types. The goal is to classify the tumour with high confidence and speed.
In testing, this method correctly identified 90% of fresh tumour samples within 24 hours. Even more impressively, 76% were diagnosed with confidence within just one hour. That means a surgeon could remove a tumour, send it for testing, and get a result before the patient even leaves the operating room.
This information could help the surgeon decide whether to remove more tissue, stop the surgery, or take other steps. It might also make it possible in the future to give targeted drugs during the operation itself.
Why Speed Matters in Brain Tumour Cases
When it comes to brain cancer, time is critical. Traditional methods of diagnosis involve taking a tissue sample and sending it to a lab. There, pathologists look at the cells and run genetic tests. This process can take days or even weeks. During that time, the patient waits—and so does treatment.
The new test developed at the University of Nottingham cuts this wait time dramatically. It also provides more detailed information. Instead of just saying, “This looks like a glioblastoma,” the test can reveal the specific subtype based on DNA.
This level of detail can guide doctors toward the best treatment plan. It can also help researchers enroll patients in clinical trials much faster, since many trials now require exact genetic matches.
Same Cost, Bigger Benefits
One of the most surprising parts of this breakthrough is the cost. The test costs about £400 per sample, which is similar to traditional genetic tests. But the speed gives it a major advantage.
Doctors can act quickly. Patients don’t have to wait weeks for answers. And hospitals may reduce the time patients stay in the system just waiting for test results.
It also opens up the possibility for “intraoperative therapies”—treatments given during surgery. Right now, these are rare because there’s no way to know the tumour type in real time. But this test changes that.
What Experts Are Saying
Dr. Matthew Dunn, who led the research at the University of Nottingham, said the goal was to bring genetic testing closer to the point of care.
“We wanted to take something that normally happens in a lab and move it into the operating theatre,” he said. “This could change how we treat brain cancer forever.”
Cancer specialists around the world are watching closely. Some say this test could lead to similar tools for other types of cancer. The key will be adapting the system to different tissues and tumour types.
Challenges Ahead: Bringing the Tech to Clinics
While the test is promising, it’s not yet in everyday use. Hospitals need time to adopt new technology. Surgeons and lab technicians must learn how to use it. And healthcare systems will need to update their workflows.
Still, experts say the benefits are clear. Faster diagnosis means faster treatment. And in many cancer cases, every hour counts.
This innovation also supports global efforts to make healthcare more precise. As we learn more about the genetic makeup of diseases, tools like nanopore sequencing can help match the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.
A Step Toward the Future of Cancer Care
This rapid DNA test is a glimpse into the future of cancer care. It shows what’s possible when science, technology, and medicine come together. With more research and support, it could soon become part of routine brain tumour surgeries around the world.
For now, the team at the University of Nottingham is continuing to improve the system. They hope to make it even faster, more accurate, and easier to use in hospitals.
This development is a powerful reminder that in medicine, time is often the most valuable resource. And thanks to this new test, many patients may soon have more of it.