University of Leeds

Dr Paul Ko Ferrigno from the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine has developed peptide aptamers to replicate the desirable traits of antibodies for use as a diagnostic tool. Peptide aptamers are more robust, easier and cheaper to produce and do not require animal testing. The project will involve testing whether peptide aptamers are as effective as antibodies for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. This project will result in a new non-invasive test for prostate cancer and potentially revolutionise diagnostic practice across human disease.