Ultra sensitive analysis for improved health care and forensics

Important results from the project

The project´s aim has been achieved by developing methods for ultra-sensitive detection and quantification of cell-free DNA in liquid biopsies for the areas of forensic, monitoring cancer treatment, and following up on transplant patients. Several products, services, and processes have been developed and implemented, and several clinical studies are ongoing with positive results and expected implementation post-project completion.

Expected long term effects

In forensics, the project will result in more solved crimes involving mixed samples containing material from multiple individuals. The use of imaging analyses, such as X-rays, will decrease as cancer patients instead can be monitored with blood samples during treatment. Additionally, the analyses are more sensitive and will lead to better patient care. Transplant patients will also be able to be monitored with blood samples instead of needing repeated biopsies from their transplanted organs, which currently need to be performed during surgery.

Approach and implementation

The project has had 6 work packages where we have worked on coordination and project management across the consortium. The different focuses´ needs have had a common technical solution where sample preparation and analysis have been the same for all applications. We have had one work package for each focus: forensics, cancer, and transplantation with different sample types and data interpretation for further implementation. Finally, we have had an overarching work package for the industrialization and commercialization of the project results.