NIT Calicut Builds Nano Sensor to Detect Sepsis Biomarkers in Real Time

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition where infections trigger an extreme body response, potentially causing organ failure or death. Early diagnosis is critical, and portable detection platforms like this could become a vital tool in improving patient survival.

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut have developed a new portable biosensor platform capable of detecting deadly sepsis biomarkers with high sensitivity and speed, marking a promising breakthrough in point-of-care diagnostics.

Backed by the Department of Science & Technology’s Nano Mission, the team led by Dr N Sandhyarani, Professor at NIT Calicut, has engineered eight unique sensor architectures, including a highly selective electrochemical sensor chip to detect Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a key biomarker for Gram-negative bacterial infections that can cause sepsis. The findings were published in the journal Langmuir.

The device integrates modified nanomaterials such as functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNTs), gold clusters, copper oxide (CuO), MoS₂, and reduced graphene oxide to boost detection accuracy. One optical and seven electrochemical sensors were developed, each built to enhance sensitivity and selectivity.

“Our aim was to create a rapid, low-cost, bedside detection tool to enable early diagnosis of infections that can lead to sepsis,” said Dr Sandhyarani. “We’ve validated our platform on real-world samples including whole blood, insulin, and fruit juices.”

The chip uses LPS-binding aptamers and polymyxin B to bind specifically with endotoxins and can detect them even in the presence of interfering compounds. The device has demonstrated over 98% accuracy in endotoxin recovery and can also sensitively detect E. coli in water samples, further showcasing its versatility.

The research has already led to seven publications in international journals such as Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Langmuir (including two cover features), Analyst, and Analytica Chimica Acta, along with a granted patent for the prototype.

The team is currently refining the device’s electronic design to further improve sensitivity for use in real-time bedside diagnostics.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition where infections trigger an extreme body response, potentially causing organ failure or death. Early diagnosis is critical, and portable detection platforms like this could become a vital tool in improving patient survival.

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