Low-Cost Color Sensor Device Enables Rapid Detection of Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers
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May 7, 2026“A sensitive nucleic acid detection approach based on tracing the inorganic phosphate (Pi) created during amplification by means of the colorimetric method has been presented.”
BUFFALO, NY — May 7, 2026 — A new research paper was published in Volume 13 of Oncoscience on March 13, 2026, titled “A low-cost color sensor device for rapid detection of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC).”
The study was led by the first and corresponding author Faisal Iqbal from the University of Illinois Chicago. In this study, the author presents a practical diagnostic approach for detecting high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), one of the most aggressive forms of ovarian cancer. The method is based on tracking inorganic phosphate (Pi), a byproduct generated during nucleic acid amplification, using a colorimetric reaction that produces a visible green signal.
At the center of this approach is a low-cost, portable device called Ercose (Eraser + Color Sensor). Designed using accessible and inexpensive components, the device detects subtle color changes in amplified samples by converting light signals into digital RGB values. These signals are then processed through a simple graphical interface, enabling real-time analysis without the need for complex laboratory equipment.
“The Ercose device can be used in a variety of real-world scenarios where standard spectrophotometer devices are not practical.”
The system was tested using amplification of a TP53 gene–associated sample from the OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cell line. As amplification proceeds, pyrophosphate (PPi) is released and subsequently converted into inorganic phosphate (Pi), which reacts with a dye reagent to produce a green color. The intensity of this color correlates with the amount of amplified DNA and can be measured either visually or using the Ercose device.
Importantly, the study demonstrates that the Ercose device closely matches the performance of a conventional spectrophotometer. As shown in the calibration data (Figure 2, page 5), both systems display a strong linear relationship between phosphate concentration and signal intensity, confirming the reliability of the low-cost sensor for quantitative detection.
Unlike traditional diagnostic tools—which often require expensive equipment, fluorescent probes, and trained personnel—this approach offers a rapid, portable, and cost-effective alternative. The entire system can be assembled using readily available components, making it especially valuable for low-resource settings and point-of-care applications.
Overall, this study highlights the potential of simple colorimetric sensing technologies to transform molecular diagnostics. By combining nucleic acid amplification with low-cost hardware, the Ercose platform offers a practical pathway toward accessible and scalable cancer detection tools.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncoscience.652
Correspondence to: Faisal Iqbal – faisali@uic.edu, faisalsaleh59@ymail.com
Keywords: cancer, HGSOC, Pi, GUI, Ercose
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