Overview
Many illnesses, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, leave physical evidence in our bodies, called biomarkers. Spotting these biomarkers early would make it possible to begin treatment with personalized, targeted therapy, or even prevent disease entirely. Solid-state nanopore-based devices can do this, but are too expensive for widespread use. Dr. Tabard-Cossa’s laboratory has pioneered a technique to fabricate nanopore devices more rapidly and at substantially lower cost than present-day technology. They are integrating the devices into a disposable cartridge within compact platforms offering comprehensive sample-in, answer-out capability. The lab is positioned to develop a point-of-care prototype that can be used in the lab and the clinic, resulting in significant economic and health benefits for Canada.