A new ultra-rapid genetic test developed by scientists at the University of Nottingham and clinicians at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust could transform brain tumour diagnosis across the UK—cutting wait times from months to hours.
Currently, patients face an agonising 6–8 week delay while tumour samples are sent to centralised labs for genetic testing. But this breakthrough method can deliver a precise tumour classification in as little as two hours—and sometimes while the patient is still in surgery.
Published in Neuro-Oncology, the study outlines how the team used this technique during 50 surgeries, achieving 100% success in delivering fast and accurate intraoperative diagnoses. The tool not only identifies the tumour’s genetic makeup within minutes of sequencing but can provide a complete diagnosis within 24 hours.
“Traditionally, diagnosis has been slow and costly,” said Dr Stuart Smith, neurosurgeon at NUH. “This changes everything. Patients no longer have to wait weeks to know what they’re dealing with. In some cases, we can adjust the surgical strategy in real-time.”
Every day, 34 people in the UK are diagnosed with brain tumours—over 12,000 a year. For the most aggressive forms, survival rates can be less than 12 months. Delays in treatment caused by diagnostic lags are devastating for patients and their families.
The new approach uses Oxford Nanopore’s portable DNA sequencers and software called ROBIN to analyse key genetic regions rapidly. Developed by Professor Matt Loose from the University of Nottingham, this method targets the most relevant parts of the genome, particularly DNA methylation patterns, which help determine tumour type and treatment pathway.
“In 2018 it took five labs and six months to sequence a human genome,” said Professor Loose. “Now we can answer the most important clinical questions in hours.”
Not only is the test faster—it’s more affordable. At around £450 per person, it’s cheaper than the multiple tests typically required, yet delivers more detailed insights.
Dr Simon Paine, consultant neuropathologist at NUH, called it “revolutionary”: “This will fundamentally change how we diagnose brain tumours. It’s faster, more accurate, and less expensive.”
Patients are already seeing the benefits. Charles Trigg, 45, from Leicestershire, was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in April. His test results—critical for understanding how his tumour might respond to chemotherapy and for accessing clinical trials—came back in just seven days, rather than the usual two months.
“For me, knowledge is power,” Charles said. “It may not be the answer you want, but having that certainty makes everything more manageable. This blend of science and medicine is extraordinary.”
The team is now working on rolling out the technology across NHS Trusts, with support from The Brain Tumour Charity and the BRAIN MATRIX Trial, which is exploring how to match patients with personalised treatments more quickly and fairly.
Dr Simon Newman, Chief Scientific Officer at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “This is a game changer. Rapid, localised, and accurate diagnosis will remove the traumatic wait and enable immediate access to the best care.”
