In an effort to combat the near epidemic levels in HSV in the world, Concurrent
Analytical Inc. was recently selected by the National Science Foundation
(NSF) to modify its current RamanprobesTM system for use in detecting both types
1 and 2 in a high speed, low cost platform capable of quantifying HSV levels
critical to diagnosis.
The broader impacts of this research are demonstrated by the urgent need for
reliable techniques that can be deployed as rapid, low-cost analysis methods
ranging from point-of-care (POC) diagnostics in the doctor’s office or
hospital, to laboratory testing. Presently more than 50 million Americans have
genital herpes, with another 1% of the U.S. population predicted to become infected
annually. A 1999 survey showed ~20% of pregnant women tested positively for
HSV-2 antibodies. If economic and rapid POC testing were available as a litmus
test for HSV-2 in maternity wards, more informed decisions for herpes necessitated
cesarean deliveries could be made, thereby protecting the immune-compromised
neonates. A technique capable of quantifying HSV at the noted levels would also
find a niche in the researcher’s laboratory in evaluating the antiviral
effectiveness of candidate vaccines, as well as by pathologists in defining
infective pathogen thresholds.
Dr. Christian Schoen, President of Concurrent Analytical Inc., is interested
in using the RamanprobesTM system for ultrasensitive diagnostic tests such as
the early detection of cancer. The system has already been used for diagnostics
in Prostate Specific Antigen, and more recently, in detecting Pancreatic Cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths and
claims 30,000 American lives each year. The five year survival rate is less
than 5% and most patients die within the first two years. The RamanprobesTM
system has detected Pancreatic Cancer earlier than any other diagnostic. So
early in fact, the diagnostic is opening up the opportunity for treatment.
"We are very excited at developing these diagnostics tests. These tests
will be able to allow doctors to quickly and easily detect cancers and viruses
at a very early stage” said Dr. Schoen.
Dr. Marc Porter, Director of the USTAR Nanotechnology Biosensors Group at
the University, along with ARUP, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT), are partners in
the effort.
Posted January 27th, 2009
