Integrated Electrical Profiling System for Measuring Leukocytes Activation from Whole Blood

Technology   

Professors Jay Han and Joel Voldman have developed a technology to address this issue.  Their novel detection system allows for isolation and quantification of activated neutrophils, which have been established as a biomarker of sepsis.  Requiring only a small sample volume and a relatively rapid assay time, this device can be used to monitor the onset and progression of sepsis in a sensitive and specific manner.  Moreover, this system can be adapted to monitor a range of conditions associated with elevated levels of inflammation, such as autoimmune diseases, and in both clinical and non-clinical settings.  

Problem Addressed

Sepsis is a condition characterized by uncontrolled inflammation resulting from a microbial infection, most often in a hospital setting.  In the United States, close to one million incidences of sepsis occur yearly, with a morbidity of 40-60%, incurring an estimated $400 million in treatment costs.  Early and accurate diagnosis of the condition is essential for effective treatment, and current diagnosis options are limited.    

Advantages

• Small sample volume
• Rapid assay time 
• High sensitivity and specificity 
• Label free 
• Can be performed in an outpatient setting