Baltimore, MD- 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. At the Medical Biotechnology Center of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Dr. Chris D. Geddes (left) 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.

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 attach has actually occurred: two troponins and myoglobin. The presence of any of these is indicative of heart damage, when done within 24 hours of the attack. With current methods, they 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. A corporate partner for the next stage of development has not yet been finalized.

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.

UPDATE: Since this story was released, Dr. Geddes has been written up by the Baltimore Sun (1/20/06 page 1D) and interviewed on WBAL TV (1/23/06).

Written by Pamela Wright