Mark Sausen

Title: Inventor Mark Sausen: Innovator in Cancer Detection Technology

Introduction

Mark Sausen, based in Baltimore, MD, is a notable inventor with a keen focus on developing advanced methods for cancer detection. With a total of 2 patents to his name, Sausen has made significant contributions to the field of genomics and liquid biopsy, particularly in the context of pancreatic cancer.

Latest Patents

Sausen's latest innovations include a patent for a "Process for microsatellite instability detection." This invention offers groundbreaking methods for determining the microsatellite instability (MSI) status of a patient through liquid biopsy, employing sample preparation techniques utilizing hybrid capture and non-unique barcodes. The methodology entails obtaining cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from patient blood or plasma samples, followed by sequencing the cfDNA to analyze tracts of nucleotide repeats. Notably, the results render a report on the MSI status when length distributions of these tracts display significant deviations from established reference distributions.

Another significant patent addresses "Genomic alterations in the tumor and circulation of pancreatic cancer patients." The research emphasizes the dire prognosis associated with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a cancer type that holds the highest mortality rate among solid tumors. By deeply sequencing the genomes of 101 enriched pancreatic adenocarcinomas from patients undergoing potentially curative resections, Sausen's work revealed critical genomic alterations correlated with improved patient survival. The study also utilized non-invasive methodologies to identify tumor-specific mutations circulating in the blood, underscoring the potential for earlier relapse detection compared to standard CT imaging.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Mark Sausen has collaborated with prominent institutions like The Johns Hopkins University and Personal Genome Diagnostics, Inc. His work focuses on pioneering cancer detection technologies that aim to improve patient outcomes and survival rates.

Collaborations

Mark has worked alongside distinguished colleagues such as Victor E. Velculescu and Vilmos Adleff. Their collective efforts have significantly advanced the understanding and diagnosis of cancer, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in medical research and patient care.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mark Sausen stands out as a leading inventor in the domain of cancer detection technologies. His patents reflect a commitment to innovation that holds the potential to transform diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from devastating diseases like pancreatic cancer. Through his work, Sausen continues to inspire future advancements in the field of oncology.