A rapid genomic test developed by the University of Nottingham allows NHS surgeons to diagnose brain tumours in under two hours while patients are still on the operating table. NHS England launched a pilot of the diagnostic tool across five specialist centers, cutting wait times that previously stretched up to eight weeks and enabling surgeons to make critical decisions during procedures.
How the Rapid Nanopore DNA Test Works During Surgery
The diagnostic process relies on a shoebox-sized sequencing machine manufactured by Oxford Nanopore. When a neurosurgeon extracts a small tissue sample from a tumour during an operation, staff send it directly to a pathology lab. Inside the sequencing device, molecules of DNA pass through a tiny hole known as a nanopore, revealing the tumour’s unique genomic fingerprint.
This molecular classification replaces traditional methods that required pathologists to inspect tissue samples visually under a microscope. Dr. Simon Paine, a consultant neuropathologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, stated that the genomic test provides comprehensive molecular clarity that he cannot achieve through visual inspection alone. In the case of 55-year-old patient Steve Palmer, the sequencing machine ran for 20 minutes before staff called the operating theatre to identify his growth as a glioblastoma.
NHS Pilot Locations and Rollout Timeline
NHS England has deployed the rapid testing technology across five specialist centers in its initial phase. According to NHS England, the participating pilot sites are Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital, and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Health officials plan to extend the tool subsequently to facilities in Bristol, Oxford, Leeds, and Manchester.
Primary brain tumours represent the single biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK, with roughly 12,000 to 13,000 people diagnosed annually. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper noted that the rollout highlights the strength of the UK life sciences sector in genomics, allowing patients to benefit from rapid innovations.
Clinical Impact on Treatment Times and Clinical Trials
Speeding up diagnosis eliminates weeks of uncertainty for patients and their families. NHS medical director Professor Frankie Swords described the technology as a huge leap forward, explaining that faster results allow care teams to initiate chemotherapy or radiotherapy much earlier. Precise genetic classification gives patients rapid access to clinical trials that demand exact tumour profiles before enrollment.
Stuart Smith, a consultant neurosurgeon at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and co-lead of the research center, emphasized the stakes for patients who lack time. Having detailed genetic data directly in the operating theatre gives surgeons immediate clarity on how aggressively they can safely remove tissue without damaging healthy areas.
Did You Know?
There are more than 100 types of brain tumour, ranging from slow-growing to aggressive forms. Each type reacts differently to treatment, making precise and rapid genetic profiling essential for effective medical intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the new NHS brain tumour test take?
The sequencing machine produces initial genetic data in about 20 minutes, with a complete diagnosis delivered to the operating theatre or patient in under two hours.
Where is the rapid genomic test currently available?
The NHS pilot operates at five specialist centers in Nottingham, Birmingham, London, and Newcastle, with planned expansions to Bristol, Oxford, Leeds, and Manchester.
What technology does the test use?
The test uses a shoebox-sized DNA sequencer built by Oxford Nanopore alongside specialist software developed at the University of Nottingham.
Stay Updated on Health Innovations
Related reading