Diagnostic Biological Tests/Assays/Genomics/Pretomics

Latest Innovations
Assay for Quantifying Polyphosphate in Plasma Dr. Morrissey from the University of IL has developed a novel assay for quantifying polyP levels in patient plasma. This assay allows for polyP quantitation to be... Read More Dr. Morrissey from the University of IL has developed a novel assay for quantifying polyP levels in patient plasma. This assay allows for polyP quantitation to be performed quickly and in a clinical setting without purification of polyP from plasma. It uses widely available coagulometer. Accurate quantification of circulating polyP levels in a patient's blood will give insight into potential risk of thrombotic and inflammatory diseases. In addition, polyP levels may be significant in conditions such as cancer, sepsis, and trauma-induced coagulopathy. 2016-020_1.png 2016-020_2.png
PathTracker Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is... Read More Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is channeled through a microfluidics device allowing amplification of viral DNA/RNA of interest, which is then detected using a uses smartphone. Infection information is then uploaded allowing tracking of infections geographically. Immediate uses for the technology are for diagnosis of viral infection in human patients (Zika, dengue, and Chikungunya) and diagnosis of respiratory infection in equine populations (Equine herpesvirus, Equine influenza, Strangles, Equine adenovirus type 1, and Equine arteritis virus). Further uses include water testing, food safety, and pharmaceutical quality control.
Real-Time Label-Free Acoustic Sensing at High Throughput Rate Professor Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that performs real-time high sensitivity acoustic sensing of flowing fluid... Read More Professor Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that performs real-time high sensitivity acoustic sensing of flowing fluid-suspended cells and particles using ultra-high-Q microfluidic opto-mechanical resonators (OMFRs). They aim to achieve throughput rate of 50,000 cells/second. Related Publications: Bahl, Gaurav, et al. "Brillouin cavity optomechanics with microfluidic devices." Nature communications 4 (2013). Zhu, K., et al. "Opto-acoustic sensing of fluids and bioparticles with optomechanofluidic resonators." The European Physical Journal Special Topics 223.10 (2014): 1937-1947.
Identification of Methylated Proteins by use of Nanopores for Early Disease Detection While nanopore sequencers available in the DNA sequencing industry are capable of detecting the presence of proteins in DNA strands, they are currently unable to identify... Read More While nanopore sequencers available in the DNA sequencing industry are capable of detecting the presence of proteins in DNA strands, they are currently unable to identify specific proteins that are present. To solve this, Professor Leburton has developed a matched filter algorithm to classify particular epigenetic markers. The algorithm’s novel sensor technology detects and maps regions of hyper- and hypo-methylations across the genome using genetic markers. By calculating electrical current signatures of proteins and comparing them to other current signatures, it identifies the type of protein that exists on the DNA strand. The technology, which can be implemented onto existing hardware, is programmable to identify any protein. Integrating a sensor with signal processing architectures could pave the way to developing a multipurpose technology for early disease detection.
Characterizing Glioblastoma Heterogeneity via Single-cell Receptor Quantification Dr. Princess Imoukhuede from University of Illinois has developed a new quantitative receptor measurement approach for examining glioblastomas (GBM) heterogeneity. This... Read More Dr. Princess Imoukhuede from University of Illinois has developed a new quantitative receptor measurement approach for examining glioblastomas (GBM) heterogeneity. This approach is a paradigm shift in single-cell technologies: from gene-centric to proteomics. It provides never-before-seen insight into GBM heterogeneity that will ultimately enable more effective cancer treatment. It is a sensitive, quantitative approach that enables high-throughput measurements.
Suite of Bioresorbable and Transient Electronics Read More Transient electronic devices belong to a set of technologies, whereby traditional analog electronic circuits and components have been made in new ways. These new electronics exist on a much smaller scale and made of bioinert or biocompatible materials. They are flexible and transient. Transient and bioresorbable technologies are a class of device that have the ability to physically disappear at a programmed rate. Inventions within this suite includedevices and processes with applications rangingfrom medicine to construction, and from defense/securityto indoor/outdoor sensors. These technologies are appropriate for applications where device placement can be costly, invasive, or inconvenient to retrieve. Features Tunable to dissolve at programmed time Bio-compatible Soft, curvilinear surface Transient battery Materials: silicon, magnesium, magnesium oxide Benefits Electronics can now be implanted on surfaces with non-planar contact patches and non-invasive integration on soft, curvilinear surfaces of biological tissues and organs. Application Areas Remaking electronics with these capabilities permits for a plethora of new applications, in medicine, environmental research, biological enhancement, digital financial transactions and traceless surveillance.
Microchip high density hanging drop three-dimension culture platform Dr. Bashir from the University of IL has developed a unique micro-chip integrated with a PDMS well platform for create cell spheroids. The micro-chip utilizes hanging... Read More Dr. Bashir from the University of IL has developed a unique micro-chip integrated with a PDMS well platform for create cell spheroids. The micro-chip utilizes hanging drop culture techniques to create cell spheroids which can then be tested on chip. This invention allows for direct microscopy based characterization while also tracking individual organoids directly on chip. Application Drug testing on tumor spheroids. Benefits Provides the ability to create tumor spheroids and test drugs on chip and allows for tumor spheroids to be formed and subsequently used to test drugs.
Long-Release Hydrogel Nanoparticle Carriers for Drug Delivery Profs. Hyungsoo Choi and Kevin Kim have developed a hydrogel nanoparticle carrier comprising gelatin covalently crosslinked with cyclodextrin, which has a longer drug... Read More Profs. Hyungsoo Choi and Kevin Kim have developed a hydrogel nanoparticle carrier comprising gelatin covalently crosslinked with cyclodextrin, which has a longer drug release profile than other carriers. The invented nano/micro carriers allows delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents that have low aqueous solubility. These hydrophobic molecules are confined inside hydrophobic pockets, and are released as polymer matrix degrades. Application This technology is used for delivering hydrophobic drugs in aqueous environments in the body. Benefit This invention boasts a longer release profile and allows drugs to be released over a longer period of time due to additional crosslinking between gelatin and cyclodextrin.
Rapid detection of intact viruses Professor Yi Lu from the University of Illinois has developed an aptamer-based method for virus detection that is able to distinguish infective viruses from non-infective... Read More Professor Yi Lu from the University of Illinois has developed an aptamer-based method for virus detection that is able to distinguish infective viruses from non-infective virions at concentrations as low as 1 pfu/mL. This technology has been developed on human adenovirus but can be generalized to any virus of interest. Since it is not based on the sequencing of genetic information, it requires no sample preparation and can be completed in ~30 minutes. This technology has great potential utility for diagnostics and environmental testing, specifically water quality testing, for the identification and mitigation of water-borne illnesses including adenovirus.
Rapid detection of target DNA using gFET and LAMP Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a highly sensitive, graphene field effect transistor (gFET) that can detect DNA in samples. This technology uses... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a highly sensitive, graphene field effect transistor (gFET) that can detect DNA in samples. This technology uses Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and crumpled graphene in order to detect the presence of a target segment of DNA within a provided sample. By using crumpled graphene, gFET, and LAMP Dr. Ganguli's technology is able rapidly detect pathogens using entirely electronic means bringing diagnostics directly to point of care medical practice, all while being less expensive, more sensitive, and quicker than other traditional, gold-standard pathogen diagnostics methods. This technology is even able to detect molecular concentrations down to 8 zeptomolar. Publication: Ganguli, A., Faramarzi, V., Mostafa, A., Hwang, M. T., You, S., & Bashir, R. (2020). High Sensitivity Graphene Field Effect Transistor-Based Detection of DNA Amplification. Advanced Functional Materials, 30(28), [2001031]. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202001031