Darpa's Genetic Diagnostic Suite Will Know You're Sick Before You Do

Darpa Seeks Early Diagnosis of the Common Cold Human rhinovirus, the virus that causes the common cold, showing the structure of its protein coat. Anna Tanczos, Wellcome Images

Long before you even feel sick, a new Darpa-funded bio-sensor will know what ails you. Researchers at Duke University are developing a device that can betray exposure to a virus even before a person's first sneeze, Wired's DangerRoom blog reports.

The sensor detects changes in gene expression that occur in people exposed to viruses like the common cold, flu, or the respiratory syncytial virus.

Led by Dr. Geoffrey Ginsburg, director of Duke's Institute for Genome Science & Policy, the team identified 30 genetic markers that are activated by viruses. In some cases, the changes occurred hours or days before symptoms started.

This approach would let doctors and public-health officials make quick diagnoses before someone even appears sick. Current tests look for presence of the actual pathogen, but that takes longer and doesn't work until a person has symptoms, Ginsburg says.

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Technology, Rebecca Boyle, common cold, darpa, diagnosis, health, illness, influenza, medicine, military, viruses

The next step is to analyze an ongoing study of Duke freshmen living in dorms. Participants were asked to file daily reports about their health and provide blood and other samples as requested, according to a university news release.

Darpa provided $19.5 million to fund the study, seeing potential in a system that can evaluate military personnel before they're deployed. An early-warning system could also help quarantine troops before they can infect others.

The research could lead to public-health benefits well beyond the military, however. The team also found that genetic signatures for viral infections are different from those triggered by bacterial infections. Definitive information about a patient's ailment can make antibiotic-resistant superbugs less likely, if fewer doctors prescribe antibiotics when they're not necessary.

What's more, public health agencies could use the technology to isolate outbreaks of influenza virus, possibly stemming pandemics before they can spread.