Biomarker detection

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer and this cancer could be prevented by screening programs. Currently the participation rates are low and in the 4WWW project we want to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of current screening approaches by lowering participation barriers using innovative technologies. Therefore we will develop at the university of Twente an innovative lab on a chip that can be used for the screening. For this we aim to use CRISPR diagnostics in combination with microfluidic chip design. 

(PhD: Nikki van Loenen and Jasper Rietveld, postdocs: Jorien Berendsen and Eshwari Dathathri, projects: NXTgen hightech Biomed02 , biotechbooster and NWO/KWF 4WWW)

In this project a point-of-care system capable to detect highly relevant dynamic biomarkers that can assist in real-time the cancer surgery and provide significantly better outcome of patients. For this a sensing system for ctDNA in arterial blood will be developed as a PoC system that can be used to improve fast decisions in lung cancer interventions by providing instant feedback on the tumour resection. Additionally, we aim to monitor ctDNA levels after surgery as it reflects the presence of remaining cancer cells, and could identify patients at high risk of recurrence.

(PhD: Diana Andreoli and Aron Uneputty, collaboration: RealCare consortium)

When a crime occurs, forensics teams collect body fluids and send them to a lab for DNA analysis. The process involves DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and capillary electrophoresis, focusing on short tandem repeats (STRs) unique to individuals. While kits have improved and methods, results can still take 48 hours. Sometimes irrelevant or insufficient DNA is analysed, which wastes time and delays results of possibly important evidence. Although ‘mobile’ forensic systems exist, they are large (requiring a van for transport to crime scenes) and they still require lab verification. A smaller point-of-care device could be used at the scene to quickly identify relevant DNA traces without a full genetic profile, simplifying the process and minimizing delays in important cases. This leads to the first steps to work towards a POC device that can be used at a crime scene to distinguish traces between individual a and b. (PhD: Lisa Rijnders, collaboration: Saxion and UT/MCS)