May 6 2010
Polytechnic Institute of New York University’s (NYU-Poly) biological and chemical science Professor Dr. Kalle Levon has been able to conceptualize a point-of-care hand-held gadget for detecting infectious diseases utilizing a patented biosensor of the floating gate field effect transistor (FGFET) category.
Polytechnic Dr Kalle Levon and Alok Prabhu from PHD Program in Medical Engineering who is helping to design and test the device
To develop this concept he has combined the inputs from experts in medical research, electrical engineering and polymer chemistry.
An inexpensive gadget the size of a credit card that consumes minimal power and does not need advanced training for operation could be used in future diagnostic medicine. This gadget can offer very precise identification of an infectious disease within 30 min from a patient sample. This concept that was developed by Levon has taken him a crucial step nearer to converting his concept into a reality.
Levon is among the first BioAccelerate NYC Prize’s six winners. The prize is in the form of a grant of $1.5 million that was created for triggering the growth of biotech and life science businesses in New York City. A grant worth $250,000 will be provided to each winner for conducting proof-of-concept late-stage research on products for enhancing health and wellness.
The BioAccelerate NYC project was jointly created by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Partnership for New York City. The grant will help the development of a total prototype in collaboration with the Brooklyn Hospital. The pilot project will focus on the detection of gonorrhea and chlamydia. The technique can also be used for all infectious diseases like HIV or H1N1.
The proposal of Levon who is the only winner to address a diagnostic issue can tackle the existing inefficiencies in the diagnostics of infectious diseases like bulky equipment, lengthy result times and high cost as well as the requirement of highly trained personnel and large sample sizes with his product.
The organic electronics field was applied by academia and research for diagnostic techniques for 10 years. However, Levon and his research team are the first ones who used this technology for conceiving a commercial application.
Conductive polymer-coated MOS transistors that are available readily are utilized by the cost-effective FGFET biosensor. The polymer identifies chemical binding and biological reactions with high levels of sensitivity. It transforms these signals to electrical signals. A negative or positive result is depicted by a light on the gadget. By virtue of its miniature size, low sample volume used and easy result interpretation any technician having basic training will be able to use the gadget for any clinical setting anywhere in the world no matter how rudimentary it is.
The efficacy of the FGFET biosensor has been proved during earlier lab tests, but Levon’s concept envisages the development of multiplex and scalable array of sensors that can simultaneously test several agents along with applications related to cancer diagnostics.
Dr. Dianne Rekow from the NYU-Poly Provost informed that the work of Levon is a perfect example of the University’s invention, innovation and entrepreneurship philosophy that help in the development of healthcare systems that can benefit New York City and the world.