大象传媒

Researchers from the  are developing a new biosensor that can be used to screen for Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and other diseases. An overview of their work was recently published in the journal .

The sensor works by detecting a particular type of small protein, in this case a cytokine known as Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF alpha), which is involved with inflammation in the body. Abnormal cytokine levels have been linked to a wide variety of diseases including Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, cancers, autoimmune and heart disease.

鈥淥ur goal is to develop a sensor that鈥檚 less invasive, less expensive and simpler to use than existing methods,鈥� says professor Michael Adachi from the School of Engineering Science and the project鈥檚 co-lead.

鈥淭hese sensors are also small and have potential to be placed in doctor鈥檚 offices to help diagnose different diseases, including Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.鈥�

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