Biosensor chip detects cervical cancer more easily

Partly for that reason, half of all women in the Netherlands between the ages of thirty and sixty never undergo a smear test, despite regularly receiving invitations. This has serious consequences. ‘The cancer is highly detectable, but many people only find out when it is already too late, even though it is entirely preventable.’ 

Participation in screening programmes among women with a migrant background is even lower, Segerink says, sometimes only around twenty to thirty percent. According to her, this is due to factors such as language barriers, taboos, fear of a male doctor, and the simple fact that in some households men handle the post and, may not realise its importance. ‘That is the more sociological side of the research: how do you reach this target group? For example, we could involve tea houses and mosques.’ 

Segerink’s chip could eventually become part of a device that detects DNA traces of cervical cancer in urine. ‘Testing in this way is much easier. Women would only need to provide a urine sample. A medical assistant can analyse it using a device. It is almost that simple. You get the result immediately.’ 

For this project, the researcher collaborates with the TechMed Centre. ‘Especially in terms of student involvement. We have many students from biomedical engineering and technical medicine working on this project.’ 

There is also collaboration with industry partners, including UT spin-off Micronit. The company is developing the Mykee, a so-called sample-to-answer platform that enables quick and straightforward test results. ‘Together with Laura Folkertsma-Hendriks from Micronit, we are exploring how we can use the Mykee for this project, so that it can be applied outside the university. The first results are promising.’ 

This text was previously published in the TechMed Magazine 2026, interview by Martin ter Denge.