UI device could speed diagnoses

Scientists at the University of Idaho are working on a futuristic device that might be able to diagnose ailments like cancer by detecting DNA mutations, greatly reducing diagnostic time.

Called biosensors, lab trials at the university have accurately detected staph infections and biomarkers for lung cancer.

“Current cancer detection technologies require a time-consuming bacteria culture,” said Wusi Maki, who leads UI’s biosensor research team. “Our technologies can detect the cancer bio-mark directly from the DNA sample. Because the DNA mutation starts before the cancer, we can reverse it before it takes hold.”

The technology was on display Friday at a University of Idaho Research Park workshop that also drew researchers from other universities.

“The diagnosis (of medical conditions) is being cut from days to hours,” said Harold Craighead, a physics professor at Cornell University. “It’s good that we meet, especially when our areas overlap. UI is highly on the electronic side of sensing techniques.”

The biosensor is not on the market currently, and scientists are still looking at how it might be used.

“We are developing advanced technologies and now are trying to connect with life science researchers and other end-users,” Maki said.

Biosensors are part of what’s known as nanotechnology, and the workshop also looked at ways that Idaho might be able to take advantage of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative.

The initiative looks to keep the U.S. ahead in nanotechnology and its applications for such things as human health and national security, according to its Web site.

“We hope to help health sciences experts advance their research with better tools – better technology and methodology – to do their jobs better,” said Gary Maki, principal investigator for microelectronics research at the University of Idaho.