H. Robert Bergen III, Ph.D.

Amyloidosis is a disease in which an abnormal protein -- an amyloid -- accumulates in tissues and organs, including the heart, brain, kidneys and digestive tract. Alzheimer's is an amyloid disease, as is immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis. Amyloid proteins can build up for a long time before causing any symptoms, so these conditions are often not diagnosed until they are well established.

One test for amyloidosis is to surgically remove tissue and examine it under a microscope. Still, diagnosis has been difficult because the lesions, known as amyloid plaques, look similar. But now, new technology developed by Mayo Clinic researchers H. Robert Bergen III, Ph.D. and Ahmet Dogan, M.D., Ph.D. may change that.

“Our team has developed a way to use lasers at a microscopic level to cut amyloid plaques directly from biopsy tissue sections,” says Dr. Bergen. “We identify the major constituents of the plaque, determine the causative protein and thus the appropriate treatment.”

“Dr. Bergen had the technology and I had the question regarding whether this would work for diagnosing amyloidosis,” says Dr. Dogan. “We developed the research plan together and it worked. We believe this will provide patients with a more accurate diagnosis.”

A clinical trial for this new technology is tentatively scheduled for early 2008.

This new technique may prove useful in other types conditions as well. From the lab to the bedside, Mayo researchers remain focused on the needs of the patient, and dedicated to developing improved methods of diagnosis and treatment.