The United States National Institute of Health has awarded a team of international researchers $2 million to develop a new test for the discovery of oral cancer. This rapid diagnosis will help save lives otherwise lost to this cancer, which has one of the lowest survival rates of all major cancers.

If oral cancer is detected early, patients are more than 90 percent likely to have a five-year survival rate. Due to late detection, the current survival rate is only 50 percent.

Using the new test, dentists remove cells from the mouth with a brush, place them on a nano-bio-chip and insert the chip into the battery-powered analyzing device. They will see a result within 8-10 minutes.

Led by Rice University Professor, John McDevitt, who developed the micro-chip used in the test, the project combines the latest techniques in nano and biotechnology. The numerous benefits of this new procedure will include shorter waiting times and decreased numbers of visits to the dentist.