Ribbon cutting, tour of new labs for biomarker blood tests highlight day
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Jan. 30, 2026) – Some of the worldwide leading research in more accessible – and affordable – testing for Alzheimer’s disease is being done in Arizona.
New research laboratories dedicated to revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related brain disorders were on display Friday at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City.
“These labs will serve as a destination center for researchers worldwide, accelerating the development of blood tests that can transform how we diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders,” said Nicholas Ashton, PhD, senior director of the Fluid Biomarker Program at the Institute and an internationally recognized leader in his field. “Our goal is to make these tests as simple as a finger prick, bringing life-changing diagnostics from specialized research centers into communities everywhere.”
Alzheimer’s disease is usually confirmed through brain scans or spinal fluid tests, which are both invasive and expensive. Blood tests that measure biomarkers are poised to revolutionize the fight against conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related diseases, providing more accurate and accessible tools for detection. The two state-of-the-art research labs, established by Banner for the discovery and widespread study of these diseases, already are having profound impact on the role of blood tests in research and clinical care.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Ashton and his research colleagues here in Arizona, such that they and their colleagues and collaborators have the chance to make a transformational difference in the scientific and clinical fight against Alzheimer’s and other age-related memory and movement disorders together,” said Eric Reiman, MD, chief executive officer of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute.
The Michael T. Zuendel Family Biofluid Lab and the Kuhle Family Biomarker Discovery Lab represent one of the few facilities worldwide where biomarker blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assays are both developed and engineered for large-scale deployment. Led by Dr. Ashton, who made major contributions to biofluid research at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the Fluid Biomarker Program is developing and validating biological markers in bodily fluids to support early detection of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and autoimmune disorders. The program spans the full spectrum from biomarker discovery to clinical implementation, serving academic and industry partners worldwide.
The labs offer compelling visual elements showcasing cutting-edge scientific equipment and researchers at work developing the next generation of diagnostic tools for brain diseases and other conditions.
Two families each contributed $1 million to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation in 2025, accelerating scientific breakthroughs that will transform how we diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s and related brain diseases. The Michael T. Zuendel Family Biofluid Lab will provide rapid, rigorous and scalable blood and CSF biomarker assays, helping researchers characterize and compare the accuracy of emerging tests. The Kuhle Family Biomarker Discovery Lab will discover and validate new biomarkers and lead the development of highly scalable pinprick “plasma spot” assays.
The labs are developing groundbreaking plasma spot assays from simple finger-prick blood samples for a range of conditions. Among the program’s most ambitious goals is creating the first blood tests for Lewy body disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease affecting athletes, military personnel and others who experience repeated head impacts.
About Banner Sun Health Research Institute
Since 1986, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, part of nonprofit Banner Health, has been a leader nationally and internationally in the effort to find answers to disorders of aging including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The institute’s Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research takes laboratory discoveries to clinical trials that foster hope for new treatments. Banner Health is Arizona’s leading health care provider and largest private employer. For more information, visit bannershri.com or visit us on Facebook.