IIT Jodhpur researchers develop nanosensor for detection of cytokines

Jodhpur: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, have unveiled a nanosensor designed to swiftly detect cytokines, a group of proteins pivotal in regulating various cells within the body.

"This development aims to reduce the mortality rate occurring due to delayed diagnosis and a lack of early warnings. Moreover, the technology has immense potential to be used as a rapid and point-of-care technique for health monitoring, disease diagnosis, prognosis, and immune response tracking," reads statement from IIT Jodhpur.

Cytokines, among the numerous biomarkers of inflammation, serve as crucial indicators for diagnosing diseases and monitoring their progression.

Prof Ajay Agarwal, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, said the technique has provided exciting results. 

"This technique which is currently in its development stage has provided exciting and encouraging results for three biomarkers i.e. interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-b (IL-b), and TNF-a which are key pro-inflammatory cytokines, released by inflammatory cells. As of now, the testing is done for controlled samples, but the team aims to take the technology to clinical trials soon. The group is also using this technique, to develop detection protocols for the early-stage and quick diagnosis of Sepsis and Fungal infections," he said.

This novel sensor developed at the IIT uses Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to detect analytes even at low concentrations. It is based on semiconductor process technology and works on the principle of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS).

Hence, it makes this technique powerful and capable of detecting trace-level molecules with high precision and selectivity.

Currently, the most prevalent techniques for cytokine detection include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite their reliability, these methods are highly time-consuming and necessitate trained personnel, with sample preparation or analysis durations exceeding 6 hours. In contrast, the sensor developed by IIT Jodhpur delivers results within just 30 minutes, rendering it not only efficient but also cost-effective.

Furthermore, this sensor, serving as a rapid and selective diagnostic tool, is complemented by AI for swift and accurate data processing and analysis.

By facilitating faster and more robust diagnoses of autoimmune diseases and bacterial infections, this sensor holds the potential to revolutionize patients' medical treatments. Prompt diagnosis and tracking of diseases can guide the future course of treatment, thereby enhancing patient care and outcomes.