<p>Researchers at the Texas A&M University have developed a technique, exploiting a specific defect in the lattice structure of diamond, to externally detect the spins of individual molecules, reports the New Journal of Physics.</p>.<p>Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has already taken advantage of a molecule's spin to give clear snapshots of organs and tissue within the human body.However, to get a more detailed insight into the workings of the disease, the imaging scale must be brought down to individual bio-molecules and captured whilst the cells are still alive.</p>.<p>Co-lead author Phillip Hemmer, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Texas A&M University, said: "Many conditions, such as cancer and ageing, have their roots at the molecular scale," according to a university statement.</p>.<p>"Therefore, if we could somehow develop a tool that would allow us to do magnetic resonance imaging of individual biomolecules in a living cell then we would have a powerful new tool for diagnosing and eventually developing cures for such stubborn diseases," Hemmer pointed out.</p>
<p>Researchers at the Texas A&M University have developed a technique, exploiting a specific defect in the lattice structure of diamond, to externally detect the spins of individual molecules, reports the New Journal of Physics.</p>.<p>Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has already taken advantage of a molecule's spin to give clear snapshots of organs and tissue within the human body.However, to get a more detailed insight into the workings of the disease, the imaging scale must be brought down to individual bio-molecules and captured whilst the cells are still alive.</p>.<p>Co-lead author Phillip Hemmer, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Texas A&M University, said: "Many conditions, such as cancer and ageing, have their roots at the molecular scale," according to a university statement.</p>.<p>"Therefore, if we could somehow develop a tool that would allow us to do magnetic resonance imaging of individual biomolecules in a living cell then we would have a powerful new tool for diagnosing and eventually developing cures for such stubborn diseases," Hemmer pointed out.</p>