Pittsburgh – A Multi-Party Team (MPT) represented by Carnegie Mellon University researchers and private industry partners has secured an award of up to $26.7 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Platform Optimizing SynBio for Early Intervention and Detection in Oncology (POSEIDON) program to usher in a new era of proactive cancer screening, offering an at-home solution to detect over 30 Stage 1 solid tumor cancers from a simple urine sample.
The R&D component of the CMU MPT project will be led by Rebecca Taylor, principal investigator, with research support from multiple co-investigators, including Burak Ozdoganlar. Both Dr. Taylor and Dr. Ozdoganlar are professors of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Combining recent advancements in synthetic biology with cutting-edge detection technology, the team will develop both a highly innovative orally administered pill containing specially engineered, tumor-targeting sensors and a user-friendly cancer screening device designed for at-home urine testing. Ginkgo Bioworks will serve as the Commercialization Partner, working to bring the team’s cutting-edge technologies to market.
Using a combination of synthetic biology and nucleic acid nanotechnology, the pill’s specially engineered, tumor-targeting sensors will be able to detect tumor-specific conditions, such as low oxygen, acidity, and lactate—hallmarks of cancer. The sensors will then release reporters to indicate the presence of a tumor and its specific tissue of origin. Synthetic reporters will then be excreted into urine to collect the results.
“Our dual-function approach is designed to provide an unprecedented level of precision, effectively illuminating hidden tumors from within the body, which then signals the presence of disease through a simple urine test,” explained Taylor. “This is a scientific leap forward that we believe will profoundly change how we approach early cancer diagnostics."
The team’s multiplexed cancer screening device will process the urine sample, indicate the presence of cancer, identify the tissue of origin, and wirelessly transmit the results to a smartphone application along with educational resources and healthcare pathways. RNA reporters found in the urine will be identified using specialized biosensors based on CRISPR-Cas technology in the device. This will allow early cancer detection via a measurable electrical signal.
With plans to move the multi-cancer detection kit into human trials and to secure its commercialization at an affordable cost, less than $100, this project aims to not only save lives but also redefine how we approach cancer screening and care, making it more proactive, convenient, and patient-centric.
"Beyond the scientific breakthroughs, our focus is on creating a truly impactful solution,” said Ozdoganlar. “The CMU MPT kit is a giant step towards making early cancer detection dependable, affordable, and convenient for everyone, with the potential to save millions of lives. Our ultimate goal is to translate this innovation into a commercial product that empowers individuals to take control of their health, significantly reducing the burden of advanced cancer and improving outcomes globally."
In addition to Carnegie Mellon researchers, the multi-party team includes academic experts from the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and KU Leuven, as well as corporate partners at Ginkgo Bioworks, Velentium Medical, Clinical Research Strategies, and Platypus Bio.
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About Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private, internationally ranked research university with acclaimed programs spanning the sciences, engineering, technology, business, public policy, humanities, and the arts. Our diverse community of scholars, researchers, creators, and innovators is driven to make real-world impacts that benefit people across the globe. With a bold, interdisciplinary, and entrepreneurial approach, we do the work that matters.
About the College of Engineering
The College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University is a top-ranked engineering college that is known for our Advanced Collaboration culture in research and education. The College is well-known for working on problems of both scientific and practical importance. Our “maker” culture is ingrained in all that we do, leading to novel approaches and transformative results. Our acclaimed faculty have a focus on innovation management and engineering to yield transformative results that will drive the intellectual and economic vitality of our community, nation, and world.