Reporter: Shirley Lee       

Reporter: Good day, Dr. Xiang! Congratulations on winning The AGA Shark Tank!

Dr. Xiang: Hello. Thanks. I’m really happy with the result.

Reporter: First, can you introduce yourself to the audience?

Dr. Xiang: Of course! My name is Lichen Xiang. I earned my PhD degree in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization from Texas State University. My research primarily focuses on Biomedical materials and Biosensor development. I have had the privilege of serving as a Research Fellow at the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since June 2018. During my time here, I have been leading several research projects and clinical protocols, including in developing sweat patch biosensor for traumatic brain injury diagnosis, innovating the “molecular buoy” nucleic acid separation method, and design of paper-based lateral flow assay and paper origami diagnostic for detecting gastrointestinal pathogens.

Reporter: Can you tell us more about your experience at the AGA Tech Summit in Boston?

Dr. Xiang: Sure. Attending the AGA Tech Summit in Boston was an incredible experience, albeit amidst challenging weather conditions with the Nor'easter snowstorms. Despite the weather, we were thrilled to be a part of this prestigious event, which brought together innovators and experts in the field of gastrointestinal research and technology.

We were selected as one of the five finalists in the Shark Tank competition after presenting our rapid paper diagnostic technology. This technology is designed to detect a multiplex of gastrointestinal pathogens, which are responsible for causing infectious diarrhea. The key advantage of our diagnostic is its rapidity, as it can provide results within 15 minutes without the need for any instruments or electric power at the point of care.

Reporter: Could you explain how your rapid paper diagnostic works and its significance in healthcare?

Dr. Xiang: Absolutely! Our rapid paper diagnostic is a cutting-edge technology that aims to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal pathogens. The diagnostic utilizes a paper-based platform, which is both cost-effective and portable, making it highly suitable for point-of-care settings.

To perform the test, a small stool sample is applied to the paper diagnostic. The paper contains specific reagents and indicators that react with the DNAs from the pathogens present in the sample. These reactions produce visible color changes, which can be easily interpreted by healthcare providers. Within just 15 minutes, the diagnostic can accurately detect the presence of 8 gastrointestinal pathogens at one time, providing real-time results to aid in patient diagnosis and treatment.

The significance of this technology lies in its ability to eliminate the need for sending stool samples to laboratories and waiting for days to receive results. By providing rapid, on-the-spot diagnostics, we can expedite the treatment process and ensure timely interventions, thus improving patient outcomes.

The low-cost feature of this device will make it very user-friendly for underdeveloped countries, where diarrheal diseases are most prevalent. If I remember correctly, more than 500,000 children under 5 years old die every year due to diarrheal diseases. As the inventor, if my device can save even one person's life, that would be a source of immense pride for me.

Reporter: How do you envision the future of this rapid paper diagnostic and its impact on healthcare?

Dr. Xiang: We envision a future where our rapid paper diagnostic becomes an integral part of point-of-care diagnostics for gastrointestinal pathogens. By streamlining the diagnostic process, we can significantly reduce the time it takes to identify and treat these infections, dramatically reduce the misdiagnosis and mistreatment. This technology has the potential to improve patient care, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to laboratory facilities may be limited.

Reporter: That's impressive. Can you tell us more about its applications?

Dr. Xiang: Certainly. The portability and simplicity of the paper diagnostic make it suitable for use in various healthcare settings, including clinics, emergency departments, and even remote areas with limited infrastructure. The widespread adoption of this technology could lead to earlier detection, prompt treatment, and ultimately, better management of gastrointestinal infections.

Reporter: It sounds like it has the potential to make a significant impact.

Dr. Xiang: Indeed. I believe that our rapid paper diagnostic has the potential to transform the way gastrointestinal pathogens are diagnosed and treated, ultimately benefiting patients by providing real-time results and expediting the delivery of appropriate care.