Scientists seeking home diagnosis of serious illnesses
Life threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes could soon be diagnosed at home, it emerged today.
A team of scientists is aiming to develop a potentially life-saving device that will spot the early warning signs of some of the state’s biggest killers.
More than 60 researchers are working on an accurate and reliable diagnostic apparatus which could be used for the self testing of critical illnesses and help keep chronic diseases controlled more effectively.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the move could save lives, reduce hospital stays, and develop the country’s economy growth.
Backed by €22.5m in funding, the team will be based at the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at Dublin City University.
“This research aims to deliver the science and technology that will drive a revolution in health management,” said Mr Ahern at the launch.
“The BDI is focusing on developing accurate and reliable devices suitable for self test, home use, that will enable people to take control over the management of their own health.
“These devices will enable detection of life-threatening events long before a critical stage is reached, and help chronic diseases to be controlled more effectively.
“This will reduce hospital stays and save lives.”
Professor Brian MacCraith, institute director, said research is currently being carried out to exploit markers in blood, breath and saliva that will give these early warnings in illnesses like cancer, heart disease and diabetes, with exquisite accuracy.
The team includes leading scientists from the Royal College of Surgeons, the National University of Ireland, Galway, University College Cork and the six industrial partners, Amic, Analog Devices, Becton Dickinson, Enfer Scientific, Hospira, and Inverness Medical Innovations/Unipath.
“The establishment of the BDI here at DCU is a hugely exciting development,” added Mr Ahern.
“This has the potential to make a major contribution to the growth of our economy in the area of competitiveness and jobs.”
The global medical diagnostics industry is now worth more than €20bn and the medical device and diagnostic sector is a significant growth area in the Irish economy with over 130 companies involved.
The Biomedical Diagnostics Institute is a unique industrial-clinical-academic research collaboration focused on the development of these next generation biomedical diagnostic devices for use in the home or at the Point-of-Care.
