Cancer cells and non-cancer cells differ in metabolism and emit distinct volatile compounds, allowing them to be distinguished by their scent. Insect odorant receptors are excellent chemosensors with high sensitivity and a broad receptive range. Putting these two ideas together, collaborating scientists from University of Konstanz (Germany) and University of Rome (Italy) investigated the potential of using the fruit fly’s olfactory system to detect cancer cells.
Lab Anim. (NY) 43, 76 (2014).
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