Novel approaches toward understanding the evolution of disease can lead to the discovery of biomarkers that will enable better management of disease progression and improve prognostic evaluation. Raman spectroscopy is a promising investigative and diagnostic tool that can assist in uncovering the molecular basis of disease and provide objective, quantifiable molecular information for diagnosis and treatment evaluation. This presentation will review the use of state-of-the-art micro Raman spectroscopy sensing of cancer, utilizing the power of trained Deep Learning algorithms for near instantaneous diagnosis in the OR and clinical setting.

Modern medicine and biotechnology strongly depend on combined efforts of engineers, computer scientists, and biologists. Discovering new diagnostics and treatment for cancer are among the highest priorities. Gastric cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide due to aggressive nature of its progression, poor response to conventional therapy and high likelihood of recurrence. We have tested a polyphenolic plant metabolite Gallic Acid (GA) as an alternative treatment option for gastric cancer. GA was shown previously to adversely affect various cancer specific functions in both cell culture and tumors, including cell proliferation and avoidance of cell death. Here we describe using DNA microchip array technology together with classical molecular biology techniques to evaluate GA potential for cancer treatment. We treated two gastric cell lines with different degree of malignant transformation and assessed its efficiency through change in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers with microchip array gene expression signature, quantitative RT PCR, as well as immunocytochemistry followed by laser confocal microscopy imaging.

Pinpoint Science offers unique nanosensor technology for low-cost detection of viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens in seconds, with detection levels below 500 femtograms/ml. This unique diagnostic platform can use antibodies, oligos, aptamers and nanobodies for rapid, label-free bioelectronic detection and quantification of pathogens in point-of-care settings.

The outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), is only 10-20 um thick but yet poses a major barrier to the transdermal passage of drugs, vaccines and electrical signals. It is expected that the development of microneedle technology will eventually circumvent this barrier in a minimally-invasive and pain-free nature manner. 

Microneedles have the potential to increase skin permeability by several orders of magnitude by creating transient micropores in the skin, and are the subject of immense research interest for transdermal drug and vaccine delivery. Electrically active microneedle-based devices, such as electrodes and sensors, will also find applications in diagnostics and monitoring. Micro Transdermal Interface Platforms (MicroTIPs) will eventually merge microneedle technologies with wearable and flexible electronics to form intelligent, patch-like systems, capable of independently diagnosing physiological conditions and autonomously delivering relevant therapeutic doses, while simultaneously relaying information to clinical supervisors using wireless protocols. As well as microneedle arrays for transdermal delivery, biopotential monitoring and interstitial diagnostics, other ancillary subsystems will also be required for ultraprecise fluidic control, data analysis, power management, system validation, and wireless communication. All of these must be integrated and packaged in a flexible and unobtrusive form factor. 

This talk identifies areas where new and emerging microneedle technologies could be used in such platforms, and summarizes recent progress at Tyndall National Institute towards MicroTIPS technology.

Sensors used in consumer devices are becoming more complex and more custom. Assessing sensor reliability is now a challenging task, custom sensors have several critical blocks and assessing each and every block is required to accurately assess sensor reliability. Here we will present a sample example on how in-situ operational sensor testing is beneficial in identifying additional failure modes which would have otherwise missed if traditional passive reliability test methodologies and procedures were to be followed.

Since breath alcohol measuring devices became handheld, many companies have tried to replicate this success for other conditions and disease- with no success. The problem has proven to be high variability, sample contamination risks, and even sample loss- all contributing to unreliable data, even with 35-pound desktop instruments. We have addressed these three problems specifically by developing a new, handheld breath capture device. Our preliminary data further show that our solution is capable of detecting and analysing microorganisms living deep in the lung, in a fully non-invasive manner. The patent-protected technology has utility beyond human/veterinary healthcare and well-being in the biodefence, environmental monitoring, agritech and food sectors.

We present Advanced Silicon Group’s nanowire biosensor which enables low cost, multiplexed, and rapid detection of proteins and DNA using one test. The nanowires make the sensor more sensitive to its environment
allowing detection of dilute solutions.  Our vision is to make diagnostics rapid, easy to use, and low cost so that everyone has access to good healthcare.

ViTrack™ is a first-of-its-kind, cuff-less, wearable, standalone technology for cNIBP monitoring, which includes a novel optical sensor capable of 3D contact sensing at microscale. The wrist wearable ViTrack™ device captures the spatiotemporal force distribution within the contact region of the skin and utilizes a proprietary new methodology to directly measure (self-calibrate) and continuously track systolic and diastolic BP.

Noninvasive approach to monitor individual's physiological and pathological state is one of the most desirable goals in healthcare research. The presence of various disease-signaling biomarkers and ease of sampling and storage makes saliva a useful medium of detection. Traq makes cost efficient, accurate and portable biosensors that can track activity and health data using saliva as a medium in real time. Traq products are designed to go anywhere, giving flexibility of where and when you track personal health and wellness data, decreasing the need for hospital and physician office visits. This powerful solution creates a synergy that can change the way we all approach health. Own Your Health^TM. This presentation overviews the clinical importance of saliva as a diagnostic medium and portrays the current research and technology development in Traq.

Sensing and computing have traditionally been separate functions. Recently, we have seen a trend towards integration of sensing and computing, and with the advent of AI, this trend is accelerating. This talk highlights the benefits of sensing and AI integration for voice activation, context awareness and health-tracking applications.