Vishnupriya
Guwahati: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, led by Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay from the Centre for Nanotechnology and Department of Chemical Engineering, have introduced a new approach to improve the detection of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. This method uses Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and bimetallic nanostructures, which are thousands of times thinner than human hair, for precise detection.
The findings of this research have been recently published in the high-impact journal, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, authored by Dr. Mitali Basak, Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, and Prof. Harshal B. Nemade.
The metabolic bio-molecules like cholesterol and triglycerides play pivotal roles in maintaining the harmonious cardiovascular health of the human body. The high (HDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins transport cholesterol to the cellular sites for various metabolic activities. An imbalance of LDL and HDL causes arterial plaque formation leading to hypertension, the formation of blood clots, or ischemia.
On the other hand, Triglycerides (TGA) transform into fatty acids and glycerol during digestion which in turn is packaged inside lipoproteins namely very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), for transportation to the cells. An elevated level of triglycerides leads to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes, or fatty liver.
Therefore, the timely detection of any abnormality and a close monitoring of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood is highly sought for. While traditional lipid profile tests of blood are reliable, they often require laboratory settings, are not available as a point-of-care solution, and can take time to provide results.
To address these limitations, the researchers have focused on a technique that combines nanotechnology and molecular detection, which can further be translated into a point-of-care device with enhanced diagnostic precision. The researchers employ SERS active bimetallic nanostructures – the silver-shelled gold nanorods, which enable a Plasmonic resonance hybridisation of silver and gold to produce augmented spectral resolutions as compared to pristine silver or gold nanorods.
Subsequently, these bimetallic nanorods are linked to two different Raman active receptors and immobilised with the enzymes cholesterol oxidase and lipase for concurrent detection of different concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides. Such innovations help in the development of a platform for the ultrafast point-of-care detection kit with a higher level of detection sensitivity.
Speaking about the research, Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay said, “With the recent advent of the low-cost and portable Raman spectroscopy devices open the possibility of utilisation of these sensors for the real-time monitoring of HDL, LDL, VLDL, and TGA at patients’ site, that may help and mitigate the cardiovascular diseases before even their onset if not at the acute stage.”
The research demonstrated that these nanostructures amplify signals 20 to 50 times more effectively than gold nanorods alone, making them highly effective for molecular detection. This advancement could lead to the development of portable, real-time monitoring devices for cholesterol and triglycerides, potentially aiding in the early detection of cardiovascular diseases.
The study’s findings offer a pathway toward improving point-of-care diagnostics and reducing reliance on imported diagnostic equipment, contributing to advancements in healthcare technology.
