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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
ZeptoMetrix an Antylia scientific company

Download Mobile App




Pain-On-A-Chip Microfluidic Device Determines Types of Chronic Pain from Blood Samples

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Apr 2025

Chronic pain is a widespread condition that remains difficult to manage, and existing clinical methods for its treatment rely largely on self-reporting, which can be subjective and especially problematic for patients who cannot communicate verbally. More...

As a result, there is a pressing need for new techniques to detect pain biomarkers. Researchers have now created a novel preclinical method to differentiate between subtypes of chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia and peripheral neuropathy.

In a preclinical study, researchers from Monash University (Melbourne, Australia) collaborated with Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia) to develop an innovative, minimally invasive technology known as “pain-on-a-chip.” This microfluidic device uses live sensory nerves on a chip to offer an objective way of diagnosing chronic pain conditions. The device works by identifying the cells responsible for initiating pain sensations, known as ‘nociceptors,’ which are involved in various pain-related conditions, including chronic pain.

The research team, whose findings were published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, employed the nociceptor-based microfluidic biosensor, or pain-on-a-chip, to analyze blood samples from two distinct animal models of chronic pain—one focused on fibromyalgia and the other on diabetic neuropathy. With their pain-on-a-chip approach, the researchers were able to show that the device could objectively differentiate the nociceptor cell responses to the two chronic pain subtypes. These results open the door to the development of a groundbreaking tool for diagnosing chronic pain based on blood sampling.

“Improving pain classification and identifying new treatments requires new strategies that objectively recognize specific pain conditions and minimize subjectivity,” said Professor Nicolas Voelcker from Monash University, one of the study’s lead authors. “Our pain-on-a-chip concept has the potential to provide a biosensor platform for a minimally invasive and objective analysis method to discriminate between chronic pain subtypes.”

“Chronic pain stemming from conditions such as fibromyalgia and neuropathy can be very isolating and extremely debilitating,” added Dr. Dusan Matusica from Flinders University, who was also a lead author. “Our research lays the foundation for the development of an objective discriminatory tool for the determination of chronic pain states based on blood sampling. Such a diagnostic tool set is currently missing in both preclinical and clinical applications.”


Gold Member
Veterinary Hematology Analyzer
Exigo H400
Verification Panels for Assay Development & QC
Seroconversion Panels
New
Vasculitis Diagnostic Test
AESKULISA Vasculitis-Screen
New
Compound Management Solution
comPOUND
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The GlycoLocate platform uses multi-omics and advanced computational biology algorithms to diagnose early-stage cancers (Photo courtesy of AOA Dx)

AI-Powered Blood Test Accurately Detects Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, largely due to late-stage diagnoses. Although over 90% of women exhibit symptoms in Stage I, only 20% are diagnosed in... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The cancer stem cell test can accurately choose more effective treatments (Photo courtesy of University of Cincinnati)

Stem Cell Test Predicts Treatment Outcome for Patients with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer frequently responds to chemotherapy initially, but eventually, the tumor develops resistance to the therapy, leading to regrowth. This resistance is partially due to the activation... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.