The project, spearheaded by researchers at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), now seeks partners to expand its testing and bring the innovation to clinical use.
The panel leverages mass spectrometry, an advanced analytical technique capable of identifying disease markers — specific molecules indicating the presence of an illness.
According to Pro. Piotr Laudański of the Medical University of Warsaw, the test is both sensitive and minimally invasive, requiring only a blood sample.
"We are working on a diagnostic test that is reliable, sensitive, and non-invasive, using the benefits of mass spectrometry," he said.
Initial results, based on plasma samples from a group of patients, have shown promise.
The team aims to validate the panel’s effectiveness on a larger, independent group. Collaborations with several medical centers across Poland are planned, and the researchers are open to discussions with investors to accelerate clinical implementation.
The project highlights the expertise of PAN’s mass spectrometry lab, led by Prof. Michał Dadlez, who emphasized the lab’s advanced methodology and state-of-the-art equipment.
"Our laboratory has the most extensive experience in this type of research in the country," he said.
"We can design diagnostic panels tailored to various needs, incorporating dozens or even hundreds of molecular markers,” he added.
However, practical applications require collaboration with the medical and business sectors.
Mass spectrometry, the core technology behind the panel, excels in detecting and quantifying molecular compounds in samples, even in trace amounts. Its precision surpasses traditional methods, enabling the identification of multiple markers simultaneously.
This capability is crucial for diseases such as endometriosis or certain cancers, where no single defining marker exists.
Bianka Świderska, a proteomics expert, explained that mass spectrometry’s versatility extends beyond blood analysis.
"This method can also analyze urine, saliva, or other biological fluids, offering a less invasive alternative to biopsies,” she said.
The technique is already used to detect various cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and even metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria.
Unlike traditional antibody-based methods, mass spectrometry is more flexible and cost-effective.
"For proteins, we don’t need to develop antibodies, which is often expensive and technically challenging,” Świderska said.
The development and clinical deployment of the diagnostic panel require significant funding and interdisciplinary collaboration, involving experts in biotechnology, medicine, and data analysis.
“We see a broader field of application for mass spectrometry that could transform diagnostics, providing faster and more precise disease detection,” added Dadlez.
The researchers remain optimistic about the technology’s potential and invite further partnerships to bring the innovation to healthcare systems.
“This approach has the chance to change diagnostics and offer patients quicker, more accurate diagnoses for a wide range of diseases,” said Laudański.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP