Biodiagnostics System Tests Patients for Different Disease Targets

A biodiagnostic system simultaneously tests patients for different disease targets, on-site in a laboratory, community hospital, or in a doctor's office, in less than an hour.

The nanoparticle-based system can detect very low concentrations of molecules associated with disease; a technology that has the potential to transform the future of medical diagnostics and patient point-of-care.

Chad Mirkin, Ph.D., the George B. Rathmann professor of chemistry and director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL, USA) invented the nanoparticle-based diagnostic system that can detect very low concentrations of molecules associated with disease.

Nanosphere commercialized many of the nanoparticle-based, medical diagnostic assays built upon the principles of Dr. Mirkin's inventions. This led to the development of the Verigene Id system. The platform enables simple, cost-effective, and highly sensitive genomic and proteomic testing on a single platform.

The Lemelson-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; Cambridge, MA, USA) US$500,000 prize was awarded to Dr. Mirkin, cofounder and member of the board of directors of Nanosphere and NanoInk, companies that develop and commercialize advanced molecular diagnostics systems. The Lemelson-MIT Prize recognizes individuals who transform their ideas into inventions and innovations that improve the world. The prize was awarded on June 25, 2009 at MIT.

When Dr. Mirkin received the award he commented, "The world doesn't want just another way. It wants a better way."

Related Links:
The Lemelson-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Program
International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University