Nanowire Device Developed to Capture Cancer Diagnostic miRNAs from Urine

  After introducing a urine sample onto the device, extracellular vesicles are captured by a nanowire substrate via electrostatic forces. MicroRNAs can then be directly extracted from the substrate. [Takao Yasui] Researchers in Japan, Thailand and China have developed a microfluidic device containing embedded nanowires that can capture minute quantities of microRNA (miRNA)-carrying extracellular vesicles (EVs) in urine, as a potential method for noninvasive cancer diagnosis or screenin