Cake helps scientists fight disease

The cake was baked alongside traditional rolls and pies

A family bakery has teamed up with a university to come up with a cake which could revolutionise the diagnosis of several killer diseases.

Scientists believe the cake may aid the identification of a symptom closely associated with diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and Aids.

Each newly-baked flapjack contains a small amount of tracer - the naturally occurring stable isotope of carbon (c13) - which can be detected by a breath test once it has been eaten.

That allows doctors to detect whether and how quickly the cake has been absorbed into the patient's system.

The results can indicate whether a patient is suffering from a bowel disorder which impairs the digestion of medication used to treat diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and Aids.

The breakthrough has been made by the University of Dundee and the owner of a family-run bakery in the city.

The university is in discussion with industry to take this technology into the market place and we are confident that the invention will be of real benefit Dundee University

Alan Clark, who runs the bakery with his sons, Jonathan and Alan, said the flapjacks had been a "very exciting diversion from our usual bakery products".

He added: "I am delighted that our bakery is part of the medical research and discovery for which Dundee is famous.

"This new Dundee cake embodies all the exciting developments in the city."

It is hoped the new method could become a widespread alternative to using radioactive tracers, which are expensive and risky for large-scale screening.

Mr Clark has made the flapjacks alongside his usual output of bread rolls, pies and birthday cakes in his bakery close to the university.

Jim Houston, director of research and innovation services at the university, praised the baker for his help.

He said: "The success of this project is due to the baking skills of Alan Clark and his precision in manufacturing the flapjacks to the exacting standards required by the pharmaceutical sector.

"The university is in discussion with industry to take this technology into the market place and we are confident that the invention will be of real benefit in the clinic."