A breakthrough at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) could soon make sophisticated medical diagnostics as cheap and accessible as a blood glucose test. A research team has developed a 50-cent electrochemical sensor that can detect specific disease genes, and crucially, can be stored for up to two months at room temperature.
The technology uses a DNA-coated electrode and leverages a CRISPR-based enzyme, Cas12. When the sensor encounters a target gene from a virus or cancer cell, the enzyme activates and begins to shred the DNA on the electrode. This action creates a distinct electrical signal, confirming a positive result. While promising, a key challenge has been the fragility of the DNA coating, which previously limited the sensors’ shelf-life to only a few days.
The MIT team, led by Professor Ariel Furst, solved this by applying a simple, inexpensive coating of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a common polymer. The PVA acts like a protective tarp, stabilizing the delicate DNA and allowing the sensors to be stored and shipped without refrigeration. After two months in storage at temperatures up to 150 °F (65.56 °C), the team confirmed the sensors could still accurately detect a gene associated with prostate cancer.
Our focus is on diagnostics that many people have limited access to, and our goal is to create a point-of-use sensor. People wouldn’t even need to be in a clinic to use it. You could do it at home. — Professor Ariel Furst.
The versatility of the platform means it can be adapted to test for a wide range of infectious diseases, such as HIV and HPV, and various cancers using samples like urine or saliva. A group from Furst’s lab is now launching a startup through MIT’s delta v accelerator to begin testing the durable sensors with patient samples in real-world environments.
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I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.