Background

A variety of biomarkers are known to be secreted in urine however due to (a) their secretion in trace amounts and (b) technical limitations of existing detection methods, exploitation of urine biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis is limited only to a handful number of indications. Furthermore, most in-development devices focus on using minimal sample volume and typically rely on sophisticated electronic and optical techniques for higher sensitivity. To overcome the current roadblocks that limit exploitation of urine biomarkers in diagnostics, our investigators have developed a device that offers a rapid, cost-effective and point-of-care detection of trace proteins.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a device that enables detection of biomarkers present in trace amounts in urine. Their device consists of a detection cassette sandwiched between two chambers in such a way that sample when collected in the top chamber flows to the bottom chamber through the cassette. The innovative design of cassette enables sequestration of potentially every single molecule of biomarker as the sample passes through it thus increasing the sensitivity beyond current limits of detection.

Advantages

- An in-expensive and rapid detection of biomarker - Increased sensitivity of detection - No sample preparation or training needed - Available in single use, multiple use format and multiplex formats

Application

Device can potentially be adopted for blood Potentially wide application such as in early pregnancy detection, substances of abuse and environmental contaminants