Project
Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial in the healthcare industry. However, traditional diagnostic processes can take time and effort. Often, samples require significant levels of processing before a specialist can run the test, leading to delayed treatments.
Nanovery, based in Newcastle, has developed a novel nanorobot detection system for nucleic acids that can detect DNA and RNA with minimal sample pre-processing.
Nanovery’s DNA nanorobot platform can detect biomarkers directly in blood samples in under two hours, a process typically requiring multiple steps and taking many hours or even days. With applications ranging from diagnosing liver or kidney issues to cancer, this system has the potential to significantly improve access to screening across a wide range of healthcare settings.
How we helped
To gauge the effectiveness of this new technology, the North East Innovation Lab team conducted a preliminary evaluation, comparing the nanorobots system to established methods.
Our team extracted RNA from blood samples and analysed a biomarker linked to acute liver disease using PCR. Meanwhile, scientists at Nanovery ran the same samples using their proprietary technology.
The study measured the sensitivity of the new test in detecting blood biomarkers and the results’ turnaround time, a critical factor for correct diagnosis. This way, the Nanovery team demonstrated their technology’s superiority over traditional PCR methods in terms of cost and time while maintaining the same quality and accuracy as the gold standard.
Outcome
The results of our collaborative project showed that Nanovery’s DNA nanorobots platform is a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional PCR methods without sacrificing accuracy. These findings informed future experiments and served as a critical component in a grant application aimed at advancing the development of this novel technology.
The next steps for the project include further tests with patient samples and integration into existing laboratory workflows.
Nonovery has also worked with our partner Newcastle University.
