Researchers from Australia's University of Sydney have collaborated with BCAL Diagnostics for the development of a diagnostic blood test for early detection of breast cancer.

The university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health researchers are working with BCAL to transform the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Since 2017, Sydney Mass Spectrometry (SydneyMS) and the Charles Perkins Centre were working with BCAL. SydneyMS is a core research facility based at the Kolling Institute.

BCAL scientists utilised SydneyMS’ technology to discover novel lipid biomarkers for breast cancer through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Different members of the Faculty of Medicine and Health’s Sydney Medical School and School of Medical Sciences have been working with BCAL to develop the test.

Professor Lisa Horvath from the Sydney Medical School is focused on developing the test and conducting talks for clinical trials.

Dr Kim Alexander from the School of Medical Sciences is engaged in ongoing discussions and partnerships on lipids and brain cancer samples.

BCAL chief scientific officer Dr Amani Batarseh and Sydney Medical School’s Dr Dinny Graham are working together to collect samples out of Westmead.

Sydney Medical School’s associate professor Sanjay Warrier, along with Dr Batarseh, is involved in the collection of samples at Lifehouse.

Dr Batarseh said: “The partnership with the University of Sydney had impacted the project on many levels.

“From informal discussions with researchers like Dr Anthony Don on untargeted lipidomics to engagement with Dr Kim Alexander that could lead to new avenues of research on lipids and brain cancer.”

The blood test is anticipated to be accredited and launched by next year.