Scientists develop pain-free ‘holy grail’ sugar test for diabetics

pharmafile | July 13, 2021 | News story | Manufacturing and Production  

Scientists in Australia have developed a non-invasive strip that checks glucose levels through saliva that they say is the ‘holy grail’ sugar test for diabetics.

Those living with diabetes usually have to prick their finger multiple times a day with a lancet and then place a drop of blood on a testing strip.

As this can be inconvenient and often painful, some sufferers tend to keep their testing to a minimum.

Conversely, this new test works by embedding an enzyme that detects glucose into a transistor that can then transmit the presence of glucose.

The electronic materials in the transistor are inks, so the test can be made through printing at a low cost.

As reported in Reuters, Paul Dastoor, Professor of Physics at the University of Newcastle in Australia, who led the team that created the test, said: “The holy grail of glucose testing has been something that is non-invasive.

“[This test] really does open up the prospect of pain-free, low-cost glucose testing and hopefully much better outcomes for diabetes sufferers.

“I think its going to radically change the way we think about medical devices and in particular sensors because we can print these at remarkably low cost.”

Interestingly, the test was discovered accidentally, as scientists were working on solar cells.

The project secured $4.7 million in funding from the Australian government to establish a facility to produce the test kits should clinical trials be passed.

Dastoor says the technology could also be transferred to COVID-19 testing and allergen, hormone, and cancer testing.

Lilly Subbotin

 

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