A microneedle patch developed by the Hammond and Irvine Labs non-invasively samples biomarkers and immune cell populations in skin. By analyzing the cells and surrounding tissue, researchers aim to classify the immune signatures of various disease stages, including autoimmune skin conditions and hard-to-detect ovarian cancers.

Highlighted here are immune cells (colored purple to represent gender equity and women’s health) collected by the needles’ seaweed-based coating (gray). The device is now being used in preclinical and clinical settings on three continents.