Researchers from NIST, NCI, and SAIC have developed a new method for detecting HER2 breast cancer using chicken antibodies tagged with quantum dots. This approach offers increased sensitivity and reliability compared to existing diagnostic tests, which can produce up to 23% false positives. The chicken antibodies react strongly with the HER2 protein while ignoring other human proteins that interfere with current tests. The quantum dot tags provide a more stable and detectable signal than conventional fluorescent dyes. The research was published in the International Journal of Cancer and is supported by an interagency agreement between NIST and NCI. NIST is also funding the development of a standard reference material to support HER2 testing.
Keywords: quantum dots, HER2 protein, quantitative bioimaging, biomarkers, standard reference material
