92. Inexpensive Early Detection of Cancer Through Biosensors and Nanorobots with Jack Andraka

May 25, 2017

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Today our conversation is with Jack Andraka about his love of science, how persistence paid off for him, and about the future of medicine. Prepare to be charmed by the 20-year-old wunderkind, who was only 15 years old when he invented groundbreaking cancer-detecting technology. Jack is also the author of the book Breakthrough, on the faculty at Silicon Valley’s Singularity University, a TED speaker, and a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Listen in to this thought provoking episode.

Find Out More About Jack Here:

jackandraka.com @jackandraka on Twitter Jack Andraka on Instagram Jack Andraka on Facebook

In This Episode:

[01:35] - What spurred Jack’s discovery, and how was he able to pull it off as a teenager?
[02:21] - Jack explains his invention in more detail.
[03:17] - Because it takes a while to get medical technology on the market, Jack’s invention isn’t yet fully in use.
[03:53] - There are several other tests currently under development, but Jack hasn’t heard of any that can detect cancer as early and accurately as his.
[04:41] - Jack talks more about the process of developing his invention and finding a lab and mentor. He then describes going through the interview process at the lab, as well as how the funding worked.
[07:51] - Jack discusses the Intel ISEF, in terms of what it is as well as his own experience there.
[09:37] - We hear about Jack’s experience speaking at TED.
[10:33] - Jack talks about Singularity University, which he describes as “probably one of the coolest places in all of Silicon Valley.”
[12:56] - Jack shares some stories about his at-home experiences with science and the experiments he’s done with his brother -- including the time he accidentally gave his family food poisoning, and the fact that he and his brother got his mom onto the FBI watch list.
[17:30] - Stephan shares a quote by George Bernard Shaw: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
[18:37] - We learn more about nanorobots, what they are, and what they can do.
[21:47] - What is CRISPR, and how is it being used? In his answer, Jack explores just how incredibly powerful this tool is.
[25:15] - Stephan brings up the functions of genes, which Jack then explains in his own words, clarifying how DNA works.
[28:16] - Jack touches on the ethical debate over whether we should have “designer babies” by modifying an embryo’s DNA.
[30:13] - Are we able to connect these nanorobots to the internet, in the sense of the Internet of Things?
[31:36] - We return to biosensors, with Jack talking about the project he’s working on right now that can test for biocontamination.
[34:01] - Jack talks about how his technology can be expanded to various diseases.
[34:37] - Why did Jack choose Tanzania as the place to launch his test?
[35:57] - Jack explores how his technology dovetails with water filtration systems and helps people lift themselves out of poverty.
[36:59] - Jack describes a big current trend in disease diagnostics for moving from symptom-based diagnostics toward molecular-based diagnostics.
[39:53] - Stephan and Jack talk about what the term “proteomic” means.
[40:28] - Why does Jack’s biosensor work with pancreatic, lung, and ovarian cancer, but not with breast cancer, for example?
[42:35] - Jack gives a loose timeline for when he hopes his biomarker panels will be generally available.
[43:34] - Is the test available outside the USA, where the FDA regulations don’t apply?
[44:36] - Jack discusses the other research he’s working on, then explains how he got the idea for the topic.
[48:14] - Beyond what has already been discussed, where does Jack see the future of medicine heading?
[49:32] - Jack discusses whether surgical skills will still be relevant in ten years, or whether it will become the realm of robots by then.
[50:55] - Where can people find out more about Jack? He suggests his website or his Twitter.

Links and Resources:

jackandraka.com @jackandraka on Twitter Jack Andraka on Instagram Jack Andraka on Facebook Intel ISEF Breakthrough Singularity University National Geographic Emerging Explore Carbon nanotubes Dr. Anirban Maitra Clinton Global Initiative TED E.coli Cholera George Bernard Shaw Nanorobots CRISPR Huntington’s RNA DNA Cystic fibrosis BRCA mutation Internet of Things Biosensors Biocontamination Genomics Proteonics Biomarker Mucins Mesothelin Econometrics Freakonomics Ebola