Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) | Figure 1

PedroPharmacist

Pharmacist

Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) are developing a simple, quick and inexpensive method to detect Alzheimer's disease - something unheard of in the world.

For Professor Ronaldo Censo Faria, it is very difficult to differentiate Alzheimer's from other types of dementia. Usually, older people tend to have more dementias, 60% of which are related to Alzheimer's.

The new test is based on ADAM10 protein, present in blood, and shown to be altered in patients with Alzheimer's and mild neurocognitive disorder, considered a kind of pre-Alzheimer's.

The test is done by detecting the presence of this biomarker. The material used has a cost around $3, making it feasible to identify different stages of the disease and even a predisposition to Alzheimer's, according to the team.

A small amount of blood is treated with magnetic particles that are captured by a magnet. The concentration is determined with a disposable sensor device. The level of the biomarker tends to increase depending on the degree of disease.

Another advantage of the new examination is that current methods only detect the disease in more advanced stages. If diagnosed early, Alzheimer's treatment may be able to slow the progression of the disease, although there are still no fully effective therapies.

Source: Federal University of São Carlos.

Further Developments in Medical Sensors

A new biological sensor proved to be able to detect glucose levels in saliva more accurately, more efficiently, and less costly than the conventional blood test. The highly sensitive, accurate and flexible biological sensor was developed by Yan Feng and his team from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The device is based on an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT), capable of converting biological elements into electrical currents. The challenge was to create a selective biosensor sensitive only to glucose. The solution was to construct the transistor using a glucose oxidase enzyme, which is sensitive only to glucose. The team ensures that the new biosensor is almost 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional blood glucose testing methods.

Source: Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Biosensor for diagnosing pancreatic cancer was developed by researchers at the São Carlos campus of the University of São Paulo (USP). A new method, which has been under development for four years, is five times faster than the traditional one, providing results in eight minutes. The sensor consists of a strip of glass with gold electrodes, capable of identifying AC 19-9 protein from a single drop of blood. The expected cost of the new test is significantly lower than current methods.

Source: University of São Paulo.