Dennis Lo discovered that the DNA from a fetus can be found floating in a mother's blood plasma, known as cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA)
Dennis Lo discovered that the DNA from a fetus can be found floating in a mother's blood plasma, known as cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA)
SHUTTERSTOCK
This eureka moment came after reading that cancer tumors release DNA into the blood stream of patients. Pictured, cancer cells in the cervix.
This eureka moment came after reading that cancer tumors release DNA into the blood stream of patients. Pictured, cancer cells in the cervix.
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Thinking an unborn baby in a mother is not unlike a cancer in a patient, Lo (left) decided to look for fetal DNA in the mother's blood plasma, and -- bingo -- found it there in ample supply offering new options for prenatal diagnosis.
Thinking an unborn baby in a mother is not unlike a cancer in a patient, Lo (left) decided to look for fetal DNA in the mother's blood plasma, and -- bingo -- found it there in ample supply offering new options for prenatal diagnosis.
Scott Clotworthy/CNN
Previously, women seeking prenatal diagnosis had to undergo amniocentesis, where a big needle is inserted through the mother's tummy into the uterus to extract cells floating in the amniotic fluid. But this runs the risk of miscarriage.
Previously, women seeking prenatal diagnosis had to undergo amniocentesis, where a big needle is inserted through the mother's tummy into the uterus to extract cells floating in the amniotic fluid. But this runs the risk of miscarriage.
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Access to DNA directly from the fetus offers a new, non-invasive, method of prenatal diagnosis. A mother's blood sample is enough to diagnose birth defects such as Down syndrome, pictured.
Access to DNA directly from the fetus offers a new, non-invasive, method of prenatal diagnosis. A mother's blood sample is enough to diagnose birth defects such as Down syndrome, pictured.
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Previously, Lo had used PCR to test unborn babies for birth defects. But after eight years searching for the DNA of an unborn baby in its mother's blood cells, he hit a dead end -- until his discovery.
Previously, Lo had used PCR to test unborn babies for birth defects. But after eight years searching for the DNA of an unborn baby in its mother's blood cells, he hit a dead end -- until his discovery.
Scott Clotworthy/CNN
Lo decided to become a scientist after learning about DNA at school in Hong Kong: "I was fascinated by how this small molecule seemed to control our entire fate."
Lo decided to become a scientist after learning about DNA at school in Hong Kong: "I was fascinated by how this small molecule seemed to control our entire fate."
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As a student at Cambridge University, in England, he learned a ground breaking DNA sequencing technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which he believed would "change the world."
As a student at Cambridge University, in England, he learned a ground breaking DNA sequencing technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which he believed would "change the world."
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The Use of PCR was once expensive, but the invention of next generation sequencers -- such as this one at the Prince of Wales Hospital, in Hong Kong -- have made prenatal blood tests much faster and more affordable. A spectrum of diseases could now be tested for, including cancer.
The Use of PCR was once expensive, but the invention of next generation sequencers -- such as this one at the Prince of Wales Hospital, in Hong Kong -- have made prenatal blood tests much faster and more affordable. A spectrum of diseases could now be tested for, including cancer.
CNN