Microwave-Accelerated Metal-Enhanced Assays
May Speed Heart Attack Diagnosis

Baltimore, MD - At UMBI’s Medical Biotechnology Center, Dr. Chris D. Geddes and his colleagues have developed a new method for fluorescence-based biological assays that promises to revolutionize clinical testing platforms. Using precious metals like silver and gold along with both old and newly developed fluorophores, diagnostic tests that used to take hours, can now be readily done in seconds. These quick, sensitive and specific diagnostic tests can greatly influence the outcome of heart attacks, strokes, infections and a multitude of other time sensitive medical crises.

With currently available methods, blood is tested by mixing it with a specific marker, after serum separation, which detects the protein or organism that indicates the disease state. This then must be amplified so that a signal can be detected. It is the amplification process that is time consuming and increases false readings. In addition, the sensitivity of the original marker can be compromised in the effort to ensure proper amplification. Dr. Geddes’ method eliminates this step entirely, increasing both sensitivity and reducing the time. Since the method is applicable to any biological molecule, the range of possible applications is nearly unlimited.

The first application that Dr. Geddes hopes to see to fruition is an assay for heart attacks that could be done on the spot or in the ambulance. Three proteins are currently used in blood tests to determine whether a heart attack has actually occurred: two troponins and myoglobin. The presence of all of these is indicative of heart damage, when done within 24 hours of the attack. With current methods, these proteins cannot be detected until hours after the attack has occurred. Those hours mean increased damage before treatment begins. With the microwave-accelerated metal-enhanced assay system, early detection could greatly decrease the time to treatment and limit heart damage. Preliminary tests with myoglobin have been completed successfully and have demonstrated the feasibility of using the microwave-heated metal-enhanced fluorescence assay system for blood tests. UMBI is actively seeking corporate partners for development of the diagnostic tools.

Chris D. Geddes, Ph.D., CChem., CPhys, CSci.
Head, Institute of Fluorescence
Associate Director, The Center for Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Fluorescence
Founding Editor and Editor-in-chief, Plasmonics
Professor, UMBI MBC

Dr. Geddes says that he believes that “this is amongst one of the most fundamental discoveries for immunoassays since the Nobel Prize was awarded to Yalow, Schally and Guillemin for their pioneering work in immunoassays in 1977.”

Dr. Geddes is a full professor at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute’s Medical Biotechnology Center which is located in downtown Baltimore. Dr. Geddes has also written more than 125 papers and several books in this field. He is a native of England, UK.

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Celebrating our 20th anniversary year, UMBI is Maryland's premier biotechnology research institute within the University System of Maryland and was established in 1985. The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) consists of five major research and education centers and is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biotechnology. UMBI’s centers of research include: CARB, the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology located in Rockville; CBR, the Center for Biosystems Research located in College Park; and COMB, the Center of Marine Biotechnology, MBC, the Medical Biotechnology Center, and IHV, the Institute of Human Virology, all located in Baltimore. For more information, visit www.umbi.umd.edu