Will this DNA checking technology enable us to kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells untouched?

[AussieNeil]

We've heard of FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) testing, where fluorescent probes are used to identify whether we have previously identified faulty (mutated) DNA sequences that are most likely responsible for us developing CLL. We also know that FISH prognostic testing can give us an indication on how long before we are likely to need treatment and also which treatments to avoid because they won't work. Using related technology, scientists have developed a special DNA clamp to act as a diagnostic nano machine. They also believe this technique could be further developed to deliver a drug to kill off just the cancerous cells and leave health cells alone. This could mean a future CLL treatment where the drug doesn't worsen our immunity!

Read how DNA clamps could stop cancer in its tracks here:

gizmag.com/dna-clamps-stop-...

Those interested in quick overview of FISH may find this site of interest :

cancerresearchuk.org/cancer...

Alternatively here's a brief overview that is slightly more technical, with the first two sections relatively easy to understand:

genome.gov/10000206

And for those that want a far more technical explanation of FISH:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluor...

Neil