Banner Sun Health Research Institute has opened two new research laboratories in Sun City, Arizona focused on developing blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions, marking an expansion of the institute’s diagnostic research capabilities.

The labs were introduced during an open house and ribbon-cutting event Jan. 30. The facilities are designed to support work on less invasive and potentially lower-cost alternatives to current diagnostic tools, which often rely on brain imaging or cerebrospinal fluid tests.

“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, Ph.D., senior director of the Fluid Biomarker Program at Banner Sun Health Research Institute. “Our goal is to make these tests as simple as a finger prick, bringing life-changing diagnostics from specialized research centers into communities everywhere.”
The two facilities — the Michael T. Zuendel Family Biofluid Lab and the Kuhle Family Biomarker Discovery Lab — are among a limited number worldwide that combine development of blood-based biomarkers with cerebrospinal fluid assays at a scale intended for broader research and clinical use. Both labs are part of the institute’s Fluid Biomarker Program, which Ashton leads.

Ashton previously worked at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, where he contributed to advances in biofluid biomarker research. At Banner, the program’s work spans biomarker discovery, validation and preparation for clinical implementation, supporting academic and industry partners.

Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease are increasingly studied through biomarkers that can be measured in blood. Researchers believe these tools could improve early detection and monitoring, though most remain in development.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Ashton and his research colleagues here in Arizona,” said Eric Reiman, M.D., CEO of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute. “They and their 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.”

The labs were supported by $2 million in combined donations from the Zuendel and Kuhle families to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation in 2025. Current projects include work on plasma-based assays and exploratory efforts aimed at developing blood tests for conditions such as Lewy body disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Banner Sun Health Research Institute, part of the Phoenix-based Banner Health system, has conducted aging and neurodegenerative disease research since 1986.

Alzheimers/Neurology Homepage