We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




New Blood Cholesterol Testing System Is Cheaper, More Efficient, and Faster

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Nov 2022
Print article
Image: A new sensor device can determine cholesterol levels in the blood (Photo courtesy of UrFU)
Image: A new sensor device can determine cholesterol levels in the blood (Photo courtesy of UrFU)

Total cholesterol contained in the body within normal limits is an important substance, without which the proper functioning of the body is impossible. Elevated blood cholesterol is a symptom of a number of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, hereditary diseases, chronic kidney failure, nephroptosis, hypertension, liver disease, pancreatic diseases. Now, scientists have developed a new sensor device for determining cholesterol levels in the blood. The system does not use protein compounds, namely enzymes. Chemists replaced them with an inorganic analogue - copper chloride. This allowed to make the process of creating cholesterol meters cheaper, to make blood testing easier, faster and more accessible.

To measure cholesterol levels with the new device developed by scientists at the Ural Federal University (UrFU, Ekaterinburg, Russia), a small amount of blood is enough. The blood is placed in an analyzing chip containing a solution of copper chloride in acetonitrile. An electrode is integrated into this chip, which is connected to a voltammetric analyzer that gives the results of the analysis. The advantage of the new chip analyzing cholesterol levels is also that it contains magnetic nanoparticles with polymers with molecular imprints that selectively sorb cholesterol, screening out any other substances characteristic of blood composition.

The microfluidic chip, in which all elements of the system are integrated, is printed on a 3D printer, which also facilitates the production process of the device, making it faster. Scientists note that the first test they conducted not on biological samples, but on model solutions that mimic blood serum. The next stage of the researchers' work is to test the system on real blood samples.

"Cholesterol determination is currently performed using colorimetry, chromatography, and enzymes. However, these methods use either extremely aggressive reagents or complex and expensive equipment, or - as recognizing and sensitive elements that determine cholesterol levels - enzymes - biological molecules that are extracted from living organisms. For example, the enzyme cholesterol oxidase is produced by some species of bacteria. Also enzymes are natural polymers, proteins, therefore, they are prone to denaturation and require certain storage conditions, temperature and acidity regimes. We decided to select a non-biological analogue of this enzyme to make the process of cholesterol analysis cheaper, easier and faster. One of the most affordable options is copper chloride, which we first discovered to be highly sensitive to cholesterol," explained Andrey Okhokhonin, Associate Professor at the Ural Federal University Department of Analytical Chemistry.

"Molecular imprinted polymers are needed to effectively separate cholesterol from other substances in the blood. After trying several options, we chose ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the crosslinking agent and vinylpyridine as the functional monomer. The polymer synthesized on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles effectively sorbs cholesterol, so we can talk about high selectivity of analysis, as no other substances interfere," emphasized Ohokhonin.

Related Links:
UrFU 

Platinum Supplier
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay
New
Gold Supplier
Turbidimetric Control
D-Dimer Turbidimetric Control
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
New
C. difficile Toxins Test
SIMPLE GDH-Toxin

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Newly identified biomarkers may detect early cognitive decline via a blood test (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Blood Tests to Enable Early Identification of Cognitive Decline and Personalized Treatments

Some individuals who have endured extreme stressors like psychiatric disorders or childhood abuse and neglect can experience a variety of health issues later in life, such as depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The QScout hematology analyzer has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

First Rapid-Result Hematology Analyzer Reports Measures of Infection and Severity at POC

Sepsis, a critical medical condition that arises as an extreme response to infection, poses a significant health threat. It occurs when an infection triggers a widespread inflammatory response in the body.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PointCheck is the world’s first device for non-invasive white cell monitoring (Photo courtesy of Leuko Labs)

World’s First Portable, Non-Invasive WBC Monitoring Device to Eliminate Need for Blood Draw

One of the toughest challenges for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is experiencing a low count of white blood cells, also known as neutropenia. These cells play a crucial role in warding off infections.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Current testing methods for antibiotic susceptibility rely on growing bacterial colonies in the presence of antibiotics (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Returns Results within 30 Minutes

In 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1.3 million individuals. The conventional approach for testing antimicrobial susceptibility involves cultivating... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: AI methods used in satellite imaging can help researchers analyze tumor images (Photo courtesy of Karolinska Institutet)

AI Approach Combines Satellite Imaging and Ecology Techniques for Analysis of Tumor Tissue

Advancements in tumor imaging technology have significantly enhanced our ability to observe the minute details of tumors, but this also brings the challenge of interpreting vast amounts of data generated... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Made-to-order diagnostic tests may soon be on the horizon (Photo courtesy of McGill University)

Breakthrough in Diagnostic Technology Could Make On-The-Spot Testing Widely Accessible

Home testing gained significant importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the availability of rapid tests is limited, and most of them can only drive one liquid across the strip, leading to continued... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The acquisition significantly expands Medix Biochemica’s portfolio of IVD raw materials (Photo courtesy of ViroStat)

Medix Biochemica Acquires US-Based ViroStat to Expand Infectious Diseases Antibody Offering

Medix Biochemica (Espoo, Finland), a supplier of critical raw materials to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, has acquired ViroStat LLC (Portland, ME, USA), a provider of infectious disease antibodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.