Blood tests play a crucial role in diagnosing as well as tracking various medical conditions. But the needle pricks and blood draws associated with these tests can be uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing for certain individuals.
Scientists from Canada and the US have developed a prototype home-use device that measures blood glucose levels via saliva samples.
Saliva, rich in biomarkers akin to blood, is a viable non-invasive alternative
It was already known that concentrations of glucose and certain other biomarkers in saliva correlate with those in the bloodstream. However, due to the lower levels of glucose in saliva, specialized lab-based equipment is necessary for accurate measurements.
Researchers from the Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec and the Colgate-Palmolive Company in New Jersey addressed this issue by exploring an existing tool called an electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) biosensor.
The team enhanced the sensitivity of existing DNA aptamers through modifications and applied them to gold electrodes, resulting in the creation of the new device.
The newly developed device, can detect glucose and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in saliva with high sensitivity. The device has the potential to simplify home health monitoring as well as eliminate the discomfort associated with traditional methods.
The innovation in this approach lies in its simplicity: the biosensors can be directly immersed in saliva without any additional preparation or reagents, making it feasible for at-home patient use.
