Human Systems

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.

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.

Dr. Chan from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new molecular probe for detection and photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging of hypoxia.  This probe is useful for in vivo and in vitro imaging.  Using photoacoustic imaging, this probe can be used to detect hypoxia at depths up to 7 cm. 

Dr. Chan’s molecular probe allows for rapid detection and imaging of hypoxia.  This detection and imaging is not invasive like an oxygen-sensitive electrode, does not rely on DNA or gene expression like other hypoxia probes, and does not involve ionizing radiation like PET.  The development of handheld photoacoustic imaging instruments will allow for hypoxia imaging to occur in the doctor’s office. 

Dr. Liang from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed new MRI acquisition methods and post-acquisition data processing techniques that allow for a standard MRI instrument to perform traditional spin density imaging as well as susceptibility mapping, quantitative susceptibility mapping, and metabolite mapping with high resolution and signal to noise ratio from a single scan. Unlike other techniques, such as CT scans, the current technology does not require ionizing radiation and is thus safer for patients and radiology professionals.