July 23: A team from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut has developed a low-cost, highly sensitive point-of-care (POC) device capable of detecting sepsis-causing infections within minutes. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition triggered by infection, requires early diagnosis for effective treatment.
The device targets endotoxin, a biomarker from Gram-negative bacteria, using a novel electrochemical biosensor. Led by Prof. N. Sandhyarani, the researchers created eight sensor architectures—seven electrochemical and one optical—using nanomaterials like gold clusters, CuO, MoS₂, graphene oxide, and carbon nanotubes to enhance sensitivity.
Published in Langmuir, the team’s electrochemical sensor chip combines functionalized carbon nanotubes with Cu₂O nanoparticles for selective lipopolysaccharide (LPS) detection. Using LPS-binding aptamers or polymyxin B, the sensor achieved high accuracy even in complex samples like blood, insulin, and fruit juice, with error margins under 2%.
Two sensor platforms also detected E. coli in water, matching traditional methods while saving time, showing potential for environmental monitoring.
Supported by the Department of Science and Technology’s Nano Mission, the work has led to seven publications and a granted patent. The team is now refining the prototype’s electronics to enhance sensitivity for bedside use.
