Project Description
Read a detailed description of our project and inspiration
A Novel Point-of-Care Detection for Early Atherosclerosis
A Novel Point-of-Care Detection for Early Atherosclerosis
“AtheroSHuffle represents a collaboration between science and society to proactively combat the complications of cardiovascular health.”
Click and drag the globe to view heart disease statistics by country!
individuals affected by atherosclerosis annually 1
global deaths attributed to CVD annually 7
In addition to its health impacts, heart disease is extremely costly. In a technical report prepared for the American Heart Association, combined costs of detection tests and hospital visits are expected to reach 750 billion dollars by 2035.
Projected costs of cardiovascular diseases from 2015 to 2035. Data obtained from Research Triangle Institute (RTI) technical report. 8
We designed AtheroSHuffle, a test strip that detects early signs of heart disease. Our device detects early stages of atherosclerotic plaque buildup, the precursor to irreversible cardiovascular diseases.
The strip detects oxidized LDL (oxLDL), a biomarker associated with early to middle stages of atherosclerosis development. We used synthetic biology to engineer plasmids containing the sequences for oxLDL-specific antibodies. We utilized a stain of E. coli called SHuffle to produce these antibodies.
These antibodies, when adhered to the strip, allow oxLDL levels to be determined by the naked eye. Our device will provide a sorely-needed low-cost, early detection method for atherosclerosis, improving healthcare globally, especially for under-resourced communities.
We are a dedicated group of twelve students from the University of Virginia. Our team represents a wide variety of disciplines, from Math, to Engineering, to Economics. To learn more about us and our roles in this project, visit our team members page!
