Event
BIOE Seminar: Single Molecule and Single Particle Analysis for Clinical Diagnosis
Friday, November 7, 2025
9:00 a.m.
A. James Clark Hall, Room #2121
Catherine Kuo
ckk@umd.edu
David Walt
Professor
Harvard University
Wyss Institute at Harvard
Single Molecule and Single Particle Analysis for Clinical Diagnosis
Abstract
A major challenge for many clinical diagnostic applications is the quantification of low-abundance proteins and other species in biological fluids. For example, traditional techniques, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can only measure several hundred proteins in human blood, which is limiting because there are thousands of proteins present at low concentrations of potential diagnostic utility. Single-molecule technologies allow for digital counting of individual protein molecules and have enabled 1000-fold increases in sensitivity over conventional protein detection methods. Similarly, measuring single extracellular vesicles (EVs) enables one to detect rare events that are undetectable with bulk measurements. We have pioneered the development of single molecule and single EV technologies that provide for ultrasensitive multiplexed measurements. I will discuss the technologies and describe their application to neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and infectious diseases.
Speaker Bio
Walt’s research focuses on creating and using novel technologies to solve unmet clinical diagnostics problems. Walt is the Scientific Founder of Illumina Inc., Quanterix Corp., and has co-founded multiple other life sciences startups. He has received numerous awards and honors for his fundamental and applied work in the field of optical microwell arrays and single molecules including the 2023 National Academy of Engineering’s Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize and the 2021 Kabiller Prize in Nanoscience and Nanomedicine. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, a Member of the American Philosophical Society, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and is inducted in the US National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 2025, he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Biden.
