Microfluidic Platform Devised for Determination of Autism Biomarker
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 27 Nov 2017 |
|
Image: A CPK model of the oxytocin molecule (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
A team of Polish scientists has devised a unique electrochemical microfluidic platform for determination of the autism biomarker oxytocin.
Significant changes of oxytocin concentration in the blood are considered to be a biomarker of autism. To monitor these changes in a rapid and convenient manner, investigators at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw, Poland) used the technique of molecular imprinting to construct a microfluidic platform for measurement of oxytocin levels.
The device comprised monomer layers of polymer that were pocketed with oxytocin shaped nanocavities. The monolayers were coated onto small gold electrodes that were inserted into a tube containing a blood sample. Entrapment of oxytocin molecules in the cavities of the polymer layer changed the electrical capacitance of the polymer and indicated the level of oxytocin binding.
The investigators demonstrated that sensitivity of the system was similar in both synthetic serum samples and in aqueous solutions and, that the measurement was not susceptible to common interferences, such as oxytocin analogs and potential metabolites.
The investigators did point out that oxytocin concentration is only one biomarker for autism, and several other diagnostic tests need to be performed. Towards this end, they have been working on polymer layers that respond to two other autism-associated compounds, melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid.
The oxytocin detection platform was described in detail in the September 9, 2017, online edition of the journal Biosensors and Bioelectrics.
Related Links:
Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Significant changes of oxytocin concentration in the blood are considered to be a biomarker of autism. To monitor these changes in a rapid and convenient manner, investigators at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw, Poland) used the technique of molecular imprinting to construct a microfluidic platform for measurement of oxytocin levels.
The device comprised monomer layers of polymer that were pocketed with oxytocin shaped nanocavities. The monolayers were coated onto small gold electrodes that were inserted into a tube containing a blood sample. Entrapment of oxytocin molecules in the cavities of the polymer layer changed the electrical capacitance of the polymer and indicated the level of oxytocin binding.
The investigators demonstrated that sensitivity of the system was similar in both synthetic serum samples and in aqueous solutions and, that the measurement was not susceptible to common interferences, such as oxytocin analogs and potential metabolites.
The investigators did point out that oxytocin concentration is only one biomarker for autism, and several other diagnostic tests need to be performed. Towards this end, they have been working on polymer layers that respond to two other autism-associated compounds, melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid.
The oxytocin detection platform was described in detail in the September 9, 2017, online edition of the journal Biosensors and Bioelectrics.
Related Links:
Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Hemoglobin Testing System
VARIANTnbs
Latest Technology News
- Microneedle Patch Detects Skin Cancer Early
- New Diagnostic System Achieves PCR Testing Accuracy
- DNA Biosensor Enables Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer
- Self-Heating Microfluidic Devices Can Detect Diseases in Tiny Blood or Fluid Samples
- Breakthrough in Diagnostic Technology Could Make On-The-Spot Testing Widely Accessible
- First of Its Kind Technology Detects Glucose in Human Saliva
- Electrochemical Device Identifies People at Higher Risk for Osteoporosis Using Single Blood Drop
- Novel Noninvasive Test Detects Malaria Infection without Blood Sample
- Portable Optofluidic Sensing Devices Could Simultaneously Perform Variety of Medical Tests
- Point-of-Care Software Solution Helps Manage Disparate POCT Scenarios across Patient Testing Locations
- Electronic Biosensor Detects Biomarkers in Whole Blood Samples without Addition of Reagents
- Breakthrough Test Detects Biological Markers Related to Wider Variety of Cancers
- Rapid POC Sensing Kit to Determine Gut Health from Blood Serum and Stool Samples
- Device Converts Smartphone into Fluorescence Microscope for Just USD 50
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
New ADLM Guidance Provides Expert Recommendations on Clinical Testing For Respiratory Viral Infections
Respiratory tract infections, predominantly caused by viral pathogens, are a common reason for healthcare visits. Accurate and swift diagnosis of these infections is essential for optimal patient management.... Read more
3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models
Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more.jpg "Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)")
POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection
Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more
Highly Reliable Cell-Based Assay Enables Accurate Diagnosis of Endocrine Diseases
The conventional methods for measuring free cortisol, the body's stress hormone, from blood or saliva are quite demanding and require sample processing. The most common method, therefore, involves collecting... Read moreHematology
view channel
Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns
Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more
First 4-in-1 Nucleic Acid Test for Arbovirus Screening to Reduce Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections
Arboviruses represent an emerging global health threat, exacerbated by climate change and increased international travel that is facilitating their spread across new regions. Chikungunya, dengue, West... Read more
POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more
First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy
Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Blood Test Measures Immune Response to Epstein-Barr Virus in MS Patients
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition for which there is currently no cure. It affects around three million people globally and ranks as the second most common cause of disability... Read more.jpg "Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)")
AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy
Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more
Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies
Transplanted organs constantly face the risk of being rejected by the recipient's immune system which differentiates self from non-self using T cells and B cells. T cells are commonly associated with acute... Read more
AI Tool Precisely Matches Cancer Drugs to Patients Using Information from Each Tumor Cell
Current strategies for matching cancer patients with specific treatments often depend on bulk sequencing of tumor DNA and RNA, which provides an average profile from all cells within a tumor sample.... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing
Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more
Automated Sepsis Test System Enables Rapid Diagnosis for Patients with Severe Bloodstream Infections
Sepsis affects up to 50 million people globally each year, with bacteraemia, formerly known as blood poisoning, being a major cause. In the United States alone, approximately two million individuals are... Read more
Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases
GenMark Diagnostics (Carlsbad, CA, USA), a member of the Roche Group (Basel, Switzerland), has rebranded its ePlex® system as the cobas eplex system. This rebranding under the globally renowned cobas name... Read more
Clinical Decision Support Software a Game-Changer in Antimicrobial Resistance Battle
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global public health concern that claims millions of lives every year. It primarily results from the inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics, which reduces... Read morePathology
view channel
AI Tool Detects Tiny Protein Clumps in Microscopy Images in Real-Time
Over 55 million individuals worldwide suffer from dementia-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These conditions are caused by the clumping together of the smallest building blocks in the... Read more
New Tool Enables Better Classification of Inherited Disease-Causing Variants
Whole genome and exome sequencing are increasingly available for clinical research, aiding in the detection of inherited genetic variants that may cause various diseases. The American College of Medical... Read more
Groundbreaking CRISPR Screen Technology Rapidly Determines Disease Mechanism from Tissues
Thanks to over a decade of advancements in human genetics, scientists have compiled extensive lists of genetic variations linked to a wide array of human diseases. However, understanding how a gene contributes... Read more
Technology
view channel
Microneedle Patch Detects Skin Cancer Early
Wearable bioelectronics has emerged as a significant innovation in healthcare, especially in the field of biosensing, providing a new method to monitor individual health for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.... Read more
New Diagnostic System Achieves PCR Testing Accuracy
While PCR tests are the gold standard of accuracy for virology testing, they come with limitations such as complexity, the need for skilled lab operators, and longer result times. They also require complex... Read more
Industry
view channel
Roche and Hitachi High-Tech Extend 46-Year Partnership for Breakthroughs in Diagnostic Testing
Roche (Basel, Switzerland) and Hitachi High-Tech (Tokyo, Japan) have renewed their collaboration agreement, committing to a further 10 years of partnership. This extension brings together their long-standing... Read more
Danaher and Johns Hopkins University Collaborate to Improve Neurological Diagnosis
Unlike severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild TBI often does not show clear correlations with abnormalities detected through head computed tomography (CT) scans. Consequently, there is a pressing need... Read more
Beckman Coulter and MeMed Expand Host Immune Response Diagnostics Partnership
Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and MeMed BV (Haifa, Israel) have expanded their host immune response diagnostics partnership. Beckman Coulter is now an authorized distributor of the MeMed... Read more_1.jpg "Image: Thermo Fisher will distribute Bio-Techne products across Europe (Photo courtesy of 123RF)")