Affordable EGFR Mutation Detection for Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis
From the results after the iGEM Jamboree...
We Got a Silver Medal 🎉
Hooray, congrats! \( ᐖ)/
I would like to thank our team for all their hard work throughout the competition. Everyone has been so enthusiastic and has contributed a lot to the project. Cheers!
Aim and Goal
Our device aims to provide a preliminary diagnostic kit that is both affordable and efficient for the public. The primary goal is to create a tool that detects the presence of the EGFR mutation as a biomarker for early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
How It Works
- Padlock Probes: These are used for specific target recognition.
- Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA): A method to amplify DNA for detection.
- Lettuce Probe Detection: This detection mechanism allows for fast and accurate identification.
This multi-step approach leverages in vitro cellular biology to create an effective and accessible diagnostic kit.
Our Mission
Our project aims to make early lung cancer screening affordable for everyone. The kit will act as a preliminary test to identify high-risk individuals, allowing for early treatment before lung cancer advances to critical stages.
By offering a low-cost solution, we hope to improve public access to cancer diagnosis, helping to reduce disparities in healthcare accessibility.
The Major Problems
1.Lung Cancer's High Mortality and Late Diagnosis
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, responsible for 1.8 million deaths in 2022. It is often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to limited treatment options and poor survival rates. Only 20% of patients survive beyond 5 years, and this drops to 10% after 10 years.
2.Expensive Diagnostic Costs
The average cost for a lung cancer diagnosis is $3,558. Many patients undergo these expensive tests only to be told they don't have lung cancer. In fact, 43.6% of patients diagnosed turn out to be healthy, leading to unnecessary financial burden.
3.Limited Treatment and Prevention Options
Due to late-stage diagnoses, lung cancer treatment is often ineffective. In many cases, prevention is not possible, and the limited treatment options make it difficult for patients to combat the disease.