For his work in accelerating the testing process of blood and tissue samples, Chemistry Prof. James Landers has been honored with the 2008 Innovation Award from The Association for Laboratory Automation.
Landers presented his work on microfluidic genetic analysis technology to a panel of judges at the ALA conference in Palm Springs, Calif. late last month, according to award panel Chair Bill Sonnefeld.
While at the conference, Landers exhibited his invention -- a device resembling a microscope slide that, although small, contains a very powerful chip for testing blood and tissue samples.
Landers said the chip analyzes the blood and tissue samples' microfluid.
During analysis, the material placed on the chip is assessed for physiological irregularities in a "microfluid plumbing system" of sorts that is composed of tiny etched troughs in the chip.
"With this technology the types of processes that are [currently] done by hand can now be done in an automated fashion and in a small space." Landers said.
One of the most notable benefits of Landers' chip is that it could provide doctors and patients blood and tissue test results in a fraction of the time that is currently required, he added.
"If you go in for a test and the doctor says we're going to take a test of blood ... The problem is that they send blood to a central lab and it has to go through a series of processes," Landers said. "Each one of those steps can take from one to eight hours and the actual hands-time can take two to three days ... [but] you actually get the answer in 12 to 14 days."
The award panel considers various criteria when reviewing the presenters, including the quality and originality of the work, Sonnefeld said, noting that Landers' work truly fulfilled the criteria.
Sonnefeld also noted that Landers was honored because the award panel believed his work will have a significant impact on the future of the scientific and medical communities.
Landers said he hoped his work will enhance the future of laboratory automation, allowing patients to receive test results in 30 minutes instead of two weeks.
"This could be the beginning of a revolution of clinical diagnostics," he said, "If you're diagnosing cancer, every day counts [and] in terms of making a treatment a success, a rapid answer can make a key difference"
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