Baylor College of Medicine researchers have won the 2024 STAT Madness with their innovative approach to using sewage as an early-warning system for viral disease outbreaks. Their study, which demonstrated the ability to detect over 450 disease-causing viruses in public wastewater, garnered 64.8% of the popular vote in the final round of the competition.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, wastewater monitoring gained popularity as a means to predict outbreaks and assess infection trends. However, the Baylor team aimed to expand the scope of their approach by simultaneously testing for over 3,000 different pathogens, including all known human viruses. Senior author Anthony Maresso likened their method to a ‘smoke alarm,’ providing valuable time to respond to potential outbreaks.

The team’s work leveraged the fact that many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, are excreted in urine and feces, making their detection in wastewater feasible. By collaborating with water treatment plants in Houston and El Paso, the researchers were able to collect and analyze sewage samples on a weekly basis, demonstrating the potential of sewage surveillance as a powerful tool for early detection of viral diseases.

STAT Madness, a month-long celebration of biomedical research, featured 64 teams competing with studies on various topics. The Baylor team’s groundbreaking research on wastewater epidemiology ultimately emerged victorious, surpassing other innovative projects such as an electric pill inspired by the ‘thorny devil’ lizard and gas-trapping materials for cancer treatment.

With their pioneering work in utilizing sewage as a surveillance tool for viral diseases, the Baylor College of Medicine researchers have made a significant impact in the field of public health and disease prevention.