Bio-Tampon

Early diagnosis is crucial for the improvement of cancer outcomes and we think that we have the tools and the expertise to contribute to the development of an innovative screening technique for uterine cancer. We propose to develop a medical device for detecting endometrial cancer at an early stage in postmenopausal women without any symptoms. We envision combining our diagnostic tool with annual breast cancer screening procedures currently in place for women aged 45 to 54; the age that coincides with the highest uterine cancer risk too. We propose to harness the potential of the yeast strains, naturally occurring in the human body by using genetic engineering so as to make them safe and cost-effective yeast biosensors. To develop our cancer-detecting yeast, we will use a well-established framework for manipulating cell sensing and signaling to allow our yeast biosensor to sense and report an increase in the levels of sex hormones and biomarkers associated with uterine cancer. The biosensor module could be attached to a tampon-like device, providing its easy insertion and removal, and ensuring its non-invasiveness and protection of women's microflora from these genetically engineered yeast strains. We aim to adapt already existing technologies of bio-material synthesis and well-established tools of yeast engineering for our innovative application that we believe could save thousands of women’s lives.