Researchers have successfully trained ants to detect cancer cells in as little as half an hour, thereby providing an inexpensive, noninvasive way to identify the disease.
A Feb. 21 study published in the iScience journal details how Formica fusca, a species of black-colored ants, can be used to detect cancer. “Cancer cells are characterized by an altered metabolism, producing unique patterns of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be used as cancer biomarkers … We show that individual ants need only a few training trials to learn, memorize, and reliably detect the odor of human cancer cells,” the study states.
“These performances rely on specific VOC patterns, as shown by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Our findings suggest that using ants as living tools to detect human cancer biomarkers is feasible, fast, and less laborious than using other animals.”…