New patch with nanoneedles 1,000 times thinner than hair offers painless biopsy option

Scientists at King's College London have developed a nanoneedle patch for painless biopsies. The patch, with needles 1,000 times thinner than hair, collects molecular information from tissues without cutting or scarring. It extracts molecular "fingerprints" from cells, analyzed using AI and mass spectrometry. This technology could enable earlier diagnosis, frequent monitoring, and real-time decision-making during surgeries. Still in preclinical stages, the patch shows promise for transforming disease tracking and treatment, especially for brain cancer and Alzheimer's.