Nordic Life Science 1
ELECTRONIC NOSES// EARLY DISEASE DETECTION Left:
Donatella Puglisi, Associate Professor, Linköping University. Right: The e-nose typically consists of an array of gas sensors, i.e., multiple sensing devices that respond to volatile compounds in the air and generate electrical signals. These sensors function somewhat like artificial olfactory receptors. By analyzing the patterns produced by the sensors with advanced algorithms and machine learning models, scientists can identify hidden information associated with specific odors or biological conditions. – are uniquely responsible for distinguishing ovarian cancer from other cancers. “What we have demonstrated is that electronic noses, combined with machine learning methods (first trained on well-characterized biobank samples), can detect reproducible signal patterns that allow different classes of samples to be distinguished with a high level of accuracy under experimental conditions,” says Puglisi. “We describe this as a ´biomarker-agnostic´ approach because, rather than relying on a single known biomarker, the system analyzes the overall chemical fingerprint produced by the sample.” The challenge of early detection At present, most electronic nose systems for diagnostic and life science applications are still at the research or prototype stage. “Many studies – including ours – have shown promising results in pre-clinical settings, but larger validation studies and clinical trials are still needed before these technologies can become part of routine healthcare practice,” says Puglisi. Her hope is that the evidence collected so far will continue to grow stronger and more robust, eventually supporting the use of electronic noses in clinical settings for screening and diagnostic purposes. “Early detection remains one of the greatest challenges in cancer care, and technologies that enable faster, less invasive, and more reliable testing could potentially improve both survival and quality of life for millions,” she says. Beyond the scientific aspects, she also believes it is important to reflect on the societal dimension of medical innovation. “Cancer diagnostics is an area with enormous potential impact, but also significant commercial interest. My personal hope is that collaboration between academia, healthcare institutions, and industry can remain strongly focused on patient benefit and accessibility, ensuring that scientific advances ultimately serve people first,” concludes Donatella Puglisi. NLS NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG | 91