Unlabelled markers

A film bulk acoustic-wave resonator (FBAR)-based biosensor for the detection of cancer has been has been fabricated by researchers from Shandong University in China. Their device is designed to detect the presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is a serological marker for a number of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, the third leading cause of death from cancer in the world. The detection of these proteins is not straightforward, as a concentration of just 500 ng/ml of AFP can suggest the presence of cancer. The group´s device can detect a concentration of 1ng/ml, and can be integrated onto a single CMOS chip, significantly reducing time and cost.