Russ Prize winner David Walt discusses his groundbreaking research

David Walt, Ph.D., winner of the 2023 Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, discussed his transformative research work and its impact on human health in a special presentation at Ohio University.

Awarded biennially by Ohio University and National Academy of Engineering (NAE), the Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize recognizes outstanding bioengineering achievements in widespread use that improve the human condition. 

“Dr. Walt received the 2023 Russ Prize for the development of microwell arrays that have greatly advanced the fields of genomics and proteomics,” said Russ College of Engineering and Technology Dean Patrick Fox while introducing Walt.

“The Russ Prize is the top bioengineering award given worldwide,” Fox said.

Walt spoke to students, faculty, staff and area residents in the Baker University Center Theater on March 28, about “Discovery, Scale and Impact.” His lecture focused on how ideas happen in the laboratory and then get translated into the commercial sector.

“And then, eventually, we hope, they make an impact on human health,” Walt said.  

In his presentation, Walt discussed the founding of the companies Illumina and Quanterix.

In the 1990s, Walt explained, he was working in the field of optical sensors and imaging optical fibers, when one of the individuals in his laboratory found a way to create microwells.

“This was a mistake, this was the opposite of what he was trying to do,” Walt explained.

“We did not pay attention at first,” he said. A graduate student in his laboratory later found a way to put beads of liquid in the microwells, but there was no use for this at the time. 

The next year, though, Walt was involved with research involving DNA sequence testing and realized that the microwells could be very beneficial in his research work and the work of others.

“At that instant, I just had an epiphany,” Walt said. 

That original accidental discovery and the realization of what could be done with the microwell arrays led to the founding of Illumina, which then led to new collaborations that changed Walt’s life and transformed the field of genetics. He explained the work that Illumina was able to do with the technology and how it greatly expanded research possibilities.

Walt’s research work included identifying which genes are responsible for different diseases.

An important part of understanding the role of various genes in disease is to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; pronounced “snips”). At the time he was doing this research work with Illumina, in order to get one SNP, it would cost $2 per SNP, Walt said. In order to do the proper research work, though, it would take 1,000 gene SNPs from 1,000 subjects, which made the project far too expensive to be feasible.

Illumina, though, was able to introduce the product, the Array Matrix, which was able to do gene SNPs quickly and at a low price.  That technology revolutionized this research work and drove the evolution of more new products.

That technology also led to the development of the company “23 and Me.”

“It’s also the technology that was used for ancestry.com,” Walt said.

These technological advances turned Illumina into a company that today is worth $30 billion. 

“Really, that’s not where the impact starts,” Walt said. He is proud of its financial success, but what’s much more important is how the company has impacted human health.

This can be seen in the clinical applications, he explained. In one example, he discussed how scientists were able to help a family with a genetic disease,  and how this can be applied further.

In another example, he explained how researchers found a new way to identify cancer.

“Now this is not just an economic impact, it’s really a human health impact,” Walt said. 

Walt also discussed new technologies that led to the founding of the start-up company, Quanterix. This company has great potential to also make a difference in human health as it is doing research work into areas such as prostate cancer, breast cancer and COVID-19.

While talking about his research work, Walt stressed that he is grateful for all of the assistance he has received from everyone who has worked in his laboratories over the years. He said he is also thankful for the support of his funders and benefactors. 

Walt also thanked the Russ Family and said he was honored to receive the Russ Prize.

“Thank you for the opportunity to present the Russ Lecture here,” Walt said, adding that he had enjoyed his time at Ohio University.

To watch a recording of Walt’s lecture, please see this website.

To read more about Walt and his research work, please see this OHIO News article.