| Docket No: |
UML 02-24 |
| Primary Inventor: |
Kenneth A. Marx |
| Other Inventors: |
Susan Braunhut, Tiean Zhou, Anne Montrone |
| Title: |
Selective Whole Cell Quartz Crystal Microbalance Biosensors
|
| Technology: |
Nanotechnology/NEMS |
| Description:
|
The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a device capable of assaying and characterizing nanogram masses. Using this device, materials and a protocol have been developed to assay living biopsy cells that result in the diagnosis of malignancy, as well as quantifying the efficacy of various chemotherapies against malignant biopsy cells. The QCM has excellent repeatability for characterization of cells, using changes in the crystal oscillation frequency and changes in motional resistance.
This patent pending invention has shown to be useful for diagnosis of biopsies, using as little as 2% of a typical needle biopsy. The measurement will provide clear indication of the type of malignancy or determine if the sample is benign. The complete turnaround time is a maximum of 24 hours, and strong indications are indicated as quickly as 6 hours. The invention may be used to test the efficacy of therapies on cancerous cells, with the potential for nearly immediate feedback to provide optimum therapy on an individual basis. This would be extremely valuable in shortening treatment time and beneficial for drug evaluation and discovery.
|
| Applications: |
Definitive diagnosis of suspect tissue to determine malignancy. Benchtop comparison of therapeutic treatments. Benchtop evaluation of new therapeutics (drug discovery).
|
| Benefits: |
This patent pending invention has shown to be useful for diagnosis of biopsies, using as little as 2% of a typical needle biopsy. The measurement will provide clear indication of the type of malignancy or determine if the sample is benign. The complete turnaround time is a maximum of 24 hours, and strong indications are indicated as quickly as 6 hours. The invention may be used to test the efficacy of therapies on cancerous cells, with the potential for nearly immediate feedback to provide optimum therapy on an individual basis. This would be extremely valuable in shortening treatment time and beneficial for drug evaluation and discovery. |
| Contact Person:
|
Susu Wong
|
| Research Lab: |
Center for Intelligent Biomaterials |
| Patent Status: |
Patent Pending
|
