2023-09-26 11:45:38
New Method Allows for Simultaneous Analysis of Multiple Biomarkers for Disease Diagnosis
London – A breakthrough method developed by scientists from Imperial College London and Oxford Nanopore Technologies has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis. Currently, most medical conditions and diseases are diagnosed using blood tests that look for a single biomarker, such as a protein or small molecule. However, this new method can analyze dozens of biomarkers simultaneously, providing clinicians with more comprehensive information about a patient’s disease.
The adaptable method, which requires only a small blood sample, has shown promising results in detecting heart failure and has the potential to be used in the diagnosis of other diseases. By simultaneously examining proteins, small molecules, and miRNA (micro RNA) from the same clinical sample, this method provides comprehensive data to aid in disease diagnosis.
In the case of heart failure, current tests look at a number of common proteins. However, the new method was able to detect 40 different types of miRNA molecules, expanding the possibilities for accurate diagnosis. Co-author Caroline Koch from the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London explains, “There are many different ways you can develop heart failure, but our test hopefully provides a cheap and quick way to find out, and can help find treatment options. This is possible with just one milliliter of blood. It is also a highly adaptable method, so the test can also be used to detect the hallmarks of diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.”
One of the key components of this method is the use of DNA “barcodes.” The blood sample is mixed with these barcodes, and the resulting solution is injected into an inexpensive handheld device. The device contains a flow cell with an array of tiny holes that can read the electrical signature of any DNA barcode passing through it. An algorithm interprets the complex electrical signal produced by the device, identifying the type and concentration of each biomarker.
The team is now working on validating the results using clinical samples from patients with heart failure. In addition to measuring more biomarkers at the same time, this method can also help identify new biomarkers. Currently, only a few biomarkers have been validated for diagnosing heart disease. However, by measuring 40 different miRNA types simultaneously, the team was able to identify potentially relevant biomarkers that can be further validated with more tests.
The development of this new method is an exciting advancement in the field of disease diagnosis. Not only does it provide a more comprehensive approach to detecting heart failure, but it also opens up possibilities for improved diagnostics for other diseases. With further validation and refinement, this method has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and healthcare practices.]
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