Researchers at RGCB in Keralam develop nanopore sensors for early detection of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) in Keralam have developed a nanopore-based sensing technology that could revolutionize early detection and monitoring of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and ALS. Led by Mahendran K.R., the research team, which included PhD student Varsha Shaji and postdoctoral researcher Neethu Puthumadathil, created 'self-assembling dual-diameter' nanopore sensors.

These sensors demonstrate exceptional sensitivity and can identify low-concentration biomarkers even in complex protein mixtures. The breakthrough was published in Nature Nanotechnology and represents a significant advance in nanoscience and biomolecular sensing. Biomarkers are indicators of diseases, and detecting them early is critical for managing neurodegenerative diseases.

In the future, these sensors could be adapted to create point-of-care devices for disease detection directly from biological fluids, such as blood. The research was a collaborative effort with groups from Constructor University in Germany and the Indian Council of Medical Research, supported by grants from several Indian government organizations.