Guan Lab

Biomedical Devices, Sensors, and Systems

Democratizing accessible, affordable, accurate, and actionable diagnosis wherever and whenever needed

We develop cutting-edge biomedical devices, sensors, and systems that bring engineering, biology, and medicine together to solve healthcare challenges.

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Who we are

We are a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists dedicated to integrating engineering, biology, and medicine to create innovative solutions for healthcare challenges. Our mission is to advance healthcare through research and groundbreaking innovation.

At our core, we believe in the transformative power of technology to enhance patient outcomes. Driven by this belief, we develop cutting-edge biomedical devices, sensors, and systems prioritizing efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility for all. With a passion for tackling complex problems, we continuously explore new and innovative approaches to improve lives.

Research thrusts

Four connected thrusts take us from the molecule to the patient.

Illustration of a handheld diagnostic analyzer with a microfluidic cartridge and sensor circuit board 01

Point-of-Care & Self-Testing Diagnostics

Compact, sample-to-answer molecular tests that patients and health workers can run at home or in the field, connected to the cloud for real-time reporting.

Illustration of DNA threading into the tip of a glass nanopipette, with an ionic current trace showing blockade events 02

Solid-State Nanopore Sensing

Solid-state nanopores, from fabrication to label-free electrical readout, that count and size individual molecules for multiplexed nucleic acid testing.

Illustration of a microwell chip where single-molecule wells glow crimson among negative wells 03

Digital Molecular Assays

Assays that partition a sample into thousands of tiny reactions and count target molecules one by one, for absolute, calibration-free quantification.

Illustration of an AI network directing a lab robot, an automated microscope imaging cells, and a sample instrument 04

AI for Life Science

From machine learning that decodes biological and sensor signals to AI agents that plan experiments, run lab robots, and learn from the results.

Where we apply it

Infectious diseases

HIV, HCV, malaria, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory viruses, and mpox.

Alzheimer’s disease

Point-of-care tests for early detection and population screening.

Cardiovascular disease

Extending our diagnostic platforms to cardiovascular care.

Public-health surveillance

Networked monitoring of pathogens in communities and wastewater.

On-demand lab automation

Automated tools and instruments, from nucleic acid extraction to sample handling.

Our work in action

DNA analysis: anywhere, anytime, for anyone
SLIDE: saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 self-testing in a mobile device
HIV SURE
ProMagBot: automated nucleic acid extraction at the point of need (1)
FourPlex AnyMDx nucleic acid testing
Field-deployable mobile molecular diagnostics for malaria (1)
AnyMDx: droplet transit after sample loading
AnyMDx: cartridge preparation
Deformability-activated particle sorting: user interface
Microfluidic deformability-activated sorting of single particles (1)
Electromagnetic sample preparation for HIV testing on a USB device
AnyMDx: on-cartridge sample preparation
Microfluidic deformability-activated sorting of single particles (2)
Microfluidic deformability-activated sorting of single particles (3)
Field-deployable mobile molecular diagnostics for malaria (2)
ProMagBot: automated nucleic acid extraction at the point of need (2)
ProMagBot: automated nucleic acid extraction at the point of need (3)
ProMagBot: automated nucleic acid extraction at the point of need (4)
Palm-sized sample-to-answer testing for malaria mass screening
Finger-prick blood nucleic acid testing on a USB device for HIV self-testing