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What started as an SIUC professor’s research for a chemistry question has turned into a discovery that could revolutionize modern medicine.
Luke Tolley, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has figured out a system for seeing how specific proteins work in the body. When used on a more advanced level, Tolley said, the system could be used to determine the most effective treatment for cancer patients.
The discovery, named DIABLA (dynamic isoelectric/anisotropy binding ligand assay), has landed Tolley the Excellence in Innovation Award, which is given by The Partnership for Innovation Center at the College of Business. Research for the project has been ongoing for more than two years, Tolley said.
“With DIABLA, we could take a sample from an individual and test it with all the different possible drugs they use and see which one would be most effective,” Tolley said. “This method could be used with cancer patients to test what treatments will be most effective for an individual.”
Simply put, DIABLA is a method for identifying certain compounds in a way that has never been done before.
“DIABLA helps us discover and understand how these chemicals affect the body,” Tolley said.
Tolley’s research started as a cancer research initiative at SIUC.
“Afterwards I figured out that DIABLA was a lot more useful than that,” Tolley said.
Hanna Shay, a graduate student from McLeansboro in chemistry, worked with Tolley on the project. Shay said the DIABLA system could be honed and developed for mainstream use.
“It has a lot of potential for the pharmaceutical industry,” she said.
The award is given to an invention, process or procedure developed through research at SIUC.
Any innovation developed at the university can be nominated. Tolley was one of 15 finalists for the award.
Maryon King, an associate professor of marketing and a judge for the award, said judges looked mainly for projects that are new, able to be manufactured and useful to the world.
“We felt that it would potentially have significant impact on the health and well being of the general population,” King said.
Tolley said he was surprised when informed he won the award. He said he is continuing with steps that will enable DIABLA to be put to use in medicine and other sciences.
“I was very excited and happy that they recognized the great things DIABLA might be able to do,” Tolley said.
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