Notre Dame and Harper researchers developing novel method to test for HPV and oral cancers | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Notre Dame and Harper researchers developing novel method to test for HPV and oral cancers Notre Dame and Harper researchers developing novel method to test for HPV and oral cancers Published: June 21, 2013 Author: William G. Gilroy M. Sharon Stack Research being carried out at the University of Notre Dame and its affiliated Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI) may lead to the development of a rapid, cost-effective means of screening for oral cancers and the human papillomavirus. M. Sharon Stack, Ann F. Dunne and Elizabeth Riley Director of the HCRI and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, points out that oral cancers are a significant global health problem. Although tobacco and alcohol awareness have helped decrease the overall incidence of oral cancers, HPV-positive cancers, especially oropharyngeal cancers, have risen significantly. Stack and Hsueh-Chia Chang, Bayer Professor of Engineering and director of Notre Dame’s Center for Microfluidics and Medical Diagnostics, are attempting to prescreen for oral cancer and HPV by examining the micro-RNAs of tumor cells. They are working on developing a microfluidic sensor to help detect the presence of tumor cells. Hsueh-Chia Chang The researchers point out that to be effective, the screening tests need to be done regularly, for example at a dentist’s office during teeth cleaning. Rinsing with a mouthwash at a dentist’s office can produce up to 10,000 cells that can be tested. In order to be feasible for a dentist’s office, the screening process must be low-cost, rapid and patient-friendly. Chang’s research group has developed a microfluidic membrane sensor that can be used for this type of rapid screening. Although he points out that his sensor is not as accurate as optical sensors such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), it is much cheaper ($1 versus $45 per test) and is rapid and can be used by personnel in a dentist’s office. It also will allow the quantification of a panel of micro-RNAs. The researchers believe that such a rapid and low-cost device would help to better reach high-risk patients prior to development of last-stage disease. Contacts: Sharon Stack, 574-631-2518, Sharon.Stack.11@nd.edu; Chia Chang, 574-631-5697, Hsueh-Chia.Chang.2@nd.edu Posted In: Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 05, 2022 Astrophysicists find evidence for the presence of the first stars October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 29, 2022 Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants September 27, 2022 Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis September 22, 2022 Climate-prepared countries are losing ground, latest ND-GAIN index shows For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn