LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Danaher and Johns Hopkins University Collaborate to Improve Neurological Diagnosis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 May 2024
Image: Scientists will evaluate new blood-based biomarkers using highly sensitive technology (Photo courtesy of 123RF)
Image: Scientists will evaluate new blood-based biomarkers using highly sensitive technology (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Unlike severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild TBI often does not show clear correlations with abnormalities detected through head computed tomography (CT) scans. Consequently, there is a pressing need for a more reliable method to determine which patients should receive a CT scan and to identify those at greater risk of developing severe symptoms. Now, a new collaboration that aims to identify mild TBI earlier could help nearly 56 million patients worldwide with mild TBI benefit from a more accurate approach to diagnosis.

Danaher Corporation (Washington, D.C., USA) has entered into a collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA) to develop new diagnostic methods for mild TBI. This collaboration is part of the Danaher Beacons program, where Johns Hopkins researchers will utilize technology from Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Danaher, to establish correlations between between novel biomarker panels and clinical outcomes. The Beacon builds on recent advancements in neurological biomarker research and the application of next-generation immunoassay detection technologies developed by Beckman Coulter. Should this method prove successful, it could also be adapted to diagnose other forms of brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

"Our latest in vitro diagnostics innovations are improving the detection of specific biomarkers found in blood when brain cells are damaged,” said Julie Sawyer Montgomery, Vice President and Group Executive, Danaher Diagnostics. “We are thrilled to partner with Johns Hopkins with the goal of leveraging these solutions to develop tests for earlier and more precise diagnosis of mild TBI, which could ultimately lead to improved treatment outcomes and faster recovery for patients."

Gold Member
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
Homocysteine Quality Control
Liquichek Homocysteine Control
Automatic CLIA Analyzer
Shine i9000

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The diagnostic device can tell how deadly brain tumors respond to treatment from a simple blood test (Photo courtesy of UQ)

Diagnostic Device Predicts Treatment Response for Brain Tumors Via Blood Test

Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, largely because doctors have no reliable way to determine whether treatments are working in real time. Assessing therapeutic response currently... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Circulating tumor cells isolated from blood samples could help guide immunotherapy decisions (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New evidence suggests that imbalances in the gut microbiome may contribute to the onset and progression of MCI and Alzheimer’s disease (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Comprehensive Review Identifies Gut Microbiome Signatures Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and nearly 50 million worldwide, yet early cognitive decline remains difficult to characterize. Increasing evidence suggests... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Vitestro has shared a detailed visual explanation of its Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device (photo courtesy of Vitestro)

Robotic Technology Unveiled for Automated Diagnostic Blood Draws

Routine diagnostic blood collection is a high‑volume task that can strain staffing and introduce human‑dependent variability, with downstream implications for sample quality and patient experience.... Read more