Google's latest "moon shot" project: A pill that would test for cancer and other illnesses. The company says it's working a pill containing microscopic particles that can travel through the bloodstream and search for malignant cells. The particles could then report their findings to a sensor device that you wear. "This is still early-stage research, but we've done a number of promising experiments, so we're going to keep going," Google said in a description of the project made public Tuesday.
Google says the nanoparticles can be magnetized and coated with antibodies that bind with specific proteins or cells associated with various maladies. A wearable sensor could track the particles' magnetic fields. The project is the latest effort undertaken by the Internet giant's secretive X division, which tries to apply new technology to solving big problems. The division's other "moon shot" efforts include self-driving cars and contact lenses that can measure glucose in tears.
IN-DEPTH
- Google Teams Up to Put Cancer Genome Research Up in the Cloud
- Google and AbbVie Enter $500M Partnership to Develop Anti-Aging Drugs
- What Is Perfect Human Health? Google Wants to Map It