Mechanical engineers at Duke University have developed a groundbreaking diagnostic platform that uses sound waves to spin a droplet of water at speeds of up to 6,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). This high-speed rotation separates tiny biological particles, enabling more efficient and less damaging detection of exosomes—small biological particles released by cells that carry crucial biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Unlike traditional methods such as ultrasound centrifugation, which are time-consuming and damage the exosomes, this new technique is faster, requires smaller sample volumes, and delivers higher purity.
The device, which centers on a water droplet placed within a silicon ring, uses surface acoustic waves generated by sound wave generators to spin the droplet. As the droplet rotates rapidly, exosomes migrate to etched channels in a disc placed on top. The system, combined with advanced detection technology, enables the identification of specific biomarkers through a process that amplifies weak Raman signals emitted by gold nanoparticles attached to DNA probes.
This method has shown promising results in detecting biomarkers for colorectal cancer, with performance closely matching the gold standard diagnostic methods but in significantly less time. The platform demonstrates an impressive 95.8% sensitivity and 100% selectivity for distinguishing cancer from healthy controls. The researchers envision this technology could revolutionize point-of-care diagnostics, enabling early disease detection, including for cancers and neurodegenerative conditions, with minimal time and effort. While still in its early stages, the platform’s potential for commercialization and further innovation is vast.
