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Diabetes is determined by tears

07.09.2012

In most cases, diabetes is diagnosed using sensors that measure blood glucose levels. But now scientists have created a new type of biological sensor capable of detecting minute concentrations of glucose in human tears, saliva and urine as well.

The innovative invention promises to significantly reduce the cost of diagnosing diabetes, since its manufacturing technology is low-cost and uncomplicated. This method will also be convenient for patients, since they do not have to constantly donate blood. The developers promise that with the introduction of this method, the number of injections will be significantly reduced or completely eliminated. "It's essentially a non-invasive way to measure glucose in the body," said one of the project leaders, Jonathan Klassen, a former Purdue University graduate student and now a researcher at the US Naval Research Laboratory.

The sensor that detects glucose levels consists of three main parts: nanosheets that resemble microscopic rose petals and are made of graphene, platinum nanoparticles, and the enzyme glucose oxidase. Each 'petal' is made up of multiple layers of graphene. Its edges have incomplete chemical bonds, that is, defects to which platinum nanoparticles can attach. Their connection with nanoplates forms electrodes. The glucose oxidase enzyme then attaches to the platinum nanoparticles. This enzyme converts glucose into hydrogen peroxide, which in turn sends a signal to the electrode.

The sensor is able to detect glucose at concentrations as low as 0,3 micromoles. Thus, it is much more sensitive than other biosensors based on graphene, nanocarbon tubes, graphite, and metal nanoparticles.

So far, the invention is used to diagnose diabetes, but the same technology can be successfully applied in other areas of medicine. It is enough to change one enzyme for another, and you can use this method in tests for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. It can even be used to control the degree of alcohol concentration in exhaled air. The method is economical and fast, and the test equipment is simple and portable.

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