Graphene-Based Biosensors Could Detect Sepsis Earlier in Critically Ill Patients
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 09 Jun 2023 |

Lactate serves as a vital biomarker in managing hospitalized patients who are critically ill. A common complication in intensive care units, hyperlactatemia, can occur either due to insufficient oxygen supply to tissues or underlying conditions such as advanced liver disease. If left untreated, hyperlactatemia can escalate into lactate acidosis, a severe condition that can be life-threatening. Reliable real-time lactate detection, whether via single-point or continuous monitoring, has the potential to enhance patient outcomes in critical care and speed up the diagnosis of sepsis in critically ill individuals. Now, a new study has highlighted the significant potential of graphene-based biosensors for detecting elevated lactate levels.
The study by researchers at the University of Bath (Bath, UK) showed that using Integrated Graphene’s (Stirling, UK) Gii-Sens electrochemical sensor can enhance the diagnostic accuracy of hyperlactatemia. The Gii-Sens, a diagnostic biosensing electrode, outperforms conventional sensing materials by a factor of 10-100, enabling rapid, laboratory-quality testing at the point of need in a cost-effective manner. Gii-Sens electrochemical electrodes, produced using Integrated Graphene’s novel 3D graphene Gii, are disposable sensors designed for one-step assays without the need for pre-treatments.
“Lactate is a naturally occurring biomarker which everyone produces as a byproduct of exercising. For most people it is easily processed by the body and will cause no major harm, apart from a little cramp if you overexert yourself,” said Dr. Marco Caffio, Integrated Graphene’s Co-Founder and CSO. “However, for some critically ill patients and those with underlying conditions it can be a sign of a range of other issues, some of which, like sepsis, can be fatal. Having a robust way of monitoring lactate levels is important in ensuring the best possible outcomes for these patients. The findings of this study demonstrate Gii’s reliable performance and potential to save lives.”
Related Links:
University of Bath
Integrated Graphene
Latest Hematology News
- New Donor Genetic Marker May Help Predict Stem Cell Transplant Success
- New Automated Hemostasis Systems Become Available Across US Laboratories
- Updated Ferritin Thresholds Improve Detection of Iron Deficiency
- Variation in AML Residual Disease Testing Prompts Push for Standardization
- Hidden Molecular Mechanism Behind HIT Blood-Clotting Disorder Revealed
- Borderline Anemia May Carry Higher Risk Than Current Thresholds Suggest
- Biomarker-Guided Framework Aims to Guide Mantle Cell Lymphoma Therapy
- New Genetic Findings Reveal Cause of Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome
- Ultra-Portable Device Enables Finger-Prick Blood Testing at Home
- Age-Specific CBC Reference Intervals Support Pediatric Diagnosis in Vietnam
- Spectral Flow Cytometry Assay Enhances MRD Detection in Multiple Myeloma
- New Marker Helps Detect Aggressive Multiple Myeloma Earlier
- New Biomarkers Predict Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Rare Blood Cancer
- AI Decision Support System Guides Treatment Selection for Complex Blood Cancers
- Blood Test Helps Predict Short-Term Mortality After Severe Heart Attack
- Next-Generation Hematology Platform Streamlines High-Complexity Lab Workflows
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Screening After Pneumococcal Disease May Reveal Undiagnosed Blood Cancer or Immune Disorders
Severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization often presents as pneumonia, particularly in older adults and people with cancer or compromised immune function. Because M protein testing and antibody... Read more
Global Survey Underscores Need to Standardize Bone Biomarker Testing
Bone and mineral metabolism biomarkers can complement dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) by providing information on disease activity and treatment response. For more than 20 years, standardization... Read more
Label-Free Platform Combines Microfluidics and AI for Circulating Tumor Cell Analysis
Liquid biopsy relies on detecting rare tumor-derived material in blood, but circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are especially difficult to capture because they are vastly outnumbered by normal blood cells.... Read more
Rapid D-Dimer Assay Supports Exclusion and Monitoring of Serious Clotting Conditions
Blood clots can rapidly become life‑threatening and affect approximately 10 million people worldwide each year. During time‑sensitive evaluations, clinicians use D‑dimer testing to help rule out deep vein... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Blood-Based Test Broadens Colorectal Cancer Screening Options
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., yet outcomes improve markedly when the disease is detected through routine screening. Despite this, up to 60 million Americans... Read more
Pooled Saliva PCR Screening Identifies Congenital CMV Missed by Targeted Testing
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) can be present in newborns who appear healthy and pass routine hearing screening. The infection is one of the most common maternal-to-fetal infections during pregnancy... Read more
Genetic Testing Identifies Inherited Predisposition in Children With Acute Leukemia
Childhood acute leukemia can involve inherited cancer predisposition that is not always apparent at diagnosis. Previous studies estimate that 4% to 10% of children with hematological malignancies carry... Read more
Single Assay Enables Simultaneous Newborn Screening for Three Severe Genetic Disorders
Newborn screening aims to identify serious genetic disorders within the first days of life, when swift intervention can help prevent irreversible harm. Spinal muscular atrophy, severe combined immunodeficiency,... Read moreHematology
view channel
New Donor Genetic Marker May Help Predict Stem Cell Transplant Success
Donor selection for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation plays a major role in relapse risk and survival for patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders. Despite advances in genotyping, uncertainty... Read more
Updated Ferritin Thresholds Improve Detection of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is one of the most common health conditions worldwide, yet its nonspecific symptoms can delay diagnosis for months. Variation in testing practices and ferritin thresholds may contribute... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Blood Test Differentiates Bacterial and Viral Infections in Febrile Infants
Fever in infants younger than 3 months is treated as a medical emergency because infections can become life-threatening while the immune system is still developing. Emergency department teams must quickly... Read more
New Autoantibody Test Targets Pre-Symptomatic Type 1 Diabetes Screening
Type 1 diabetes is often first recognized only after substantial beta-cell destruction, sometimes presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis. Population-scale screening could identify children at elevated risk... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
FDA-Cleared Multiplex PCR Test Detects 13 Respiratory Pathogens in a Single Sample
Respiratory tract infections can be difficult to distinguish at presentation because many cause overlapping, nonspecific symptoms and are initially grouped as influenza-like illnesses. Causes span a range... Read more
One-Hour Molecular Panel Expands Bloodstream Infection Testing for Gram-Negative Pathogens
Bloodstream infections can progress rapidly and lead to sepsis, organ failure, and death. In the United States, about 1.7 million adults develop sepsis each year, and at least 350,000 die during hospitalization... Read more
FDA Clears Rapid Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility System for Positive Blood Cultures
Bloodstream infections require prompt treatment, but antimicrobial susceptibility results often lag behind a positive blood culture. Conventional testing can take another 24 to 48 hours after a culture... Read more
New Urine Test Expands Mycotoxin Analysis to 31 Markers for Broader Exposure Assessment
Clinical evaluation of mold exposure increasingly relies on urinary mycotoxin testing, but limited marker coverage and metabolite masking can make results more difficult to interpret. Broader analysis... Read morePathology
view channel
Genomic Classifier Predicts Benefit From Adding Hormone Therapy to Salvage Prostate Radiation
Men who have undergone prostatectomy for prostate cancer may later develop a detectable or rising prostate-specific antigen, prompting salvage radiation therapy. A key challenge is determining who is most... Read more
New AI Model Maps Where Glioblastoma Could Return After Surgery
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults and the most lethal, with median survival of about 17 months after diagnosis. Even after surgeons remove all visible tumor and patients receive... Read moreTechnology
view channelLaser-Based Swab Analysis Shows Promise for Detecting Disease-Linked Odor Patterns
Disease-related changes in volatile organic compounds can alter body odor, producing measurable patterns in exhaled breath and bodily fluids. Current analytical methods can be complex, time-consuming,... Read more
Laser-Enhanced Assay Boosts Sensitivity for Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Detection
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection remains critical, but cancer biomarkers can produce only faint... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Collaboration Combines AI Cognitive Assessment and RNA Blood Testing for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection
Alzheimer’s disease is often identified only after substantial neurodegeneration, partly because current diagnostic pathways are fragmented and difficult to scale. As treatment shifts toward earlier intervention,... Read more
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Expand Genomic Testing Across Asia-Pacific
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Holdings (PAH), together with subsidiary LifeStrands Genomics, announced a strategic investment and collaboration focused on expanding access to advanced diagnostics... Read more







