University of the Western Cape researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in medical diagnostics, developing an innovative electrochemical sensor capable of detecting cancer, tuberculosis, and long COVID-19 at a fraction of traditional testing costs.
The cutting-edge sensor, developed at UWC’s SensorLab in the Department of Chemistry, represents a significant leap forward in addressing South Africa’s dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. This portable device uses nanotechnology to detect specific disease biomarkers in blood samples, offering rapid and highly sensitive results that could transform healthcare delivery in underserved communities.
Dr Jaymi Leigh January, the lead researcher and recent PhD graduate who spearheaded this development, emphasised the technology’s relevance to local health challenges. “This research addresses a very real South African health challenge by providing accessible, sensitive, and affordable disease diagnostics,” she explained.
How the technology works
The innovative sensor operates using light-based electrical signals to measure trace amounts of disease-linked proteins in patient blood samples. Its remarkable sensitivity allows detection of COVID-19 spike proteins at levels as low as 0.04 picograms per millilitre – far exceeding the capabilities of many current diagnostic tools.
The device identifies specific biomarkers for each condition: CapG proteins for cancer detection, interferon gamma for tuberculosis screening, and spike proteins for identifying COVID-19 infections and long COVID-19 risk. Unlike traditional laboratory-based diagnostics that require expensive infrastructure, this sensor delivers fast, reliable results in a portable format.
South Africa faces significant challenges with tuberculosis, cancer, and ongoing COVID-19 complications. Traditional diagnostic methods often require costly laboratory facilities and lengthy processing times, creating barriers to early detection and treatment, particularly in resource-limited settings.
This breakthrough technology offers a game-changing solution by providing immediate, accurate results at the point of care. The sensor’s ability to detect diseases at earlier stages could dramatically improve treatment outcomes and patient survival rates.
For long COVID-19 detection, the technology proves particularly valuable in identifying hidden viral reservoirs and patients at risk of developing prolonged symptoms – a growing concern as the pandemic’s long-term effects become clearer.
The project represents successful international collaboration, with January working under the supervision of Prof Emmanuel Iwuoha from UWC’s Chemistry Department, alongside Dr Nelia Sanga, a UWC postdoctoral fellow. The team also partnered with researchers from the University of Ghent in Belgium, including Prof Jan Gettemans and associate researcher Olivier Zwaenepoel.
This collaborative approach has been instrumental in developing a sensor that demonstrates excellent stability, reliability, and reproducibility – essential features for routine clinical application.
The technology’s most significant advantage lies in its potential to improve healthcare equity. By providing affordable, portable diagnostics, the sensor could bridge the gap between advanced medical facilities and underserved communities across South Africa and beyond.
January reflected on the broader implications of her research: “Every challenge during this journey has been a formative moment that strengthened me, and I’m grateful for the guidance of supervisors, family, and co-researchers.”
Looking ahead
The research team now focuses on scaling up development and production for widespread clinical use. Future plans include comprehensive clinical trials to further validate the device’s effectiveness and expand accessibility in resource-constrained healthcare systems globally.
According to Sipokazi Fokazi from UWC’s Institutional Advancement, the development represents not just a technological achievement, but a step toward a more inclusive healthcare future where advanced diagnostics are accessible to all.
