New Delhi: A new device capable of instantly detecting cholesterol and triglyceride levels in real-time promises to advance early cardiovascular health detection. While it is still in its initial phase, it could eventually be integrated with mobile phones, enabling users or patients to monitor blood health on the go.
Developed by researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, the device uses ultra-thin nanostructures, or nano rods, which are 10,000 times thinner than a human hair. Described as a “proof of concept for a point-of-care testing device”, this cutting-edge method combines advanced technology to significantly improve the precision and reliability of health diagnostics.
Cholesterol and triglycerides are important biomolecules in our body that help maintain heart health. Cholesterol is transported by two types of lipoproteins (spherical particles made of fat)—high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
HDL, also known as “good” cholesterol, carries cholesterol from the body to the liver, where it’s removed. High levels of HDL can lower one’s risk of health problems. On the other hand, excessive LDL—“bad” cholesterol—can cause plaque buildup in arteries, leading to high blood pressure, blood clots or even heart attacks.
Similarly, triglycerides, which are fats broken down during digestion, can cause problems, like heart disease, diabetes or fatty liver, if their levels are too high. Therefore, regular monitoring of cholesterol and triglyceride levels is essential to prevent these health issues.
The researchers tested their specially designed silver-gold nanorods and found they worked much better than gold nanorods alone. These nanorods have a unique property called localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which means that they interact strongly with light.
By combining silver and gold, the nanorods became 20 to 50 times more effective at amplifying signals, making them highly useful for advanced detection methods, like SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering), which helps detect tiny amounts of substances with great precision.
While the traditional blood tests are available and reliable for these, they require laboratory settings, which can be time-consuming and are not portable. Aiming to solve this issue, the research team at IIT Guwahati, led by Dr Mitali Basak, Prof Dipankar Bandyopadhyay and Prof Harshal B. Nemade, created this new method by integrating nanotechnology and molecular detection, for faster and more precise testing.
Speaking to ThePrint, Bandopadhyay explained how their innovation uses nanotechnology and enzymes to enable quick, portable and low-cost detection of LDL, HDL, VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides (TGA) in blood. The sensor integrates nanoparticles with enzymes such as lipase—which aids in fat digestion—and cholesterol oxidase (QOX), commonly used to measure cholesterol levels.
These enzymes are stabilised on a substrate using Raman linkers—specialised molecules that enhance signal detection by attaching to the nanoparticle surface. When a drop of blood interacts with the sensor, it generates a unique signal known as enhanced Raman scattering. This signal directly corresponds to the concentration of the biomarkers, allowing for precise and real-time measurement of blood lipid levels.
The technology has already been patented and the clinical trials have been conducted with around 50 patients. According to Bandopadhyay, the goal is to keep the cost of each test affordable, aiming for a price range of Rs 15 to Rs 20 per test for patients.
Bandopadhyay also mentioned that the goal is to make the device affordable and accessible for doctors, especially in remote areas where pathological labs are scarce. The portable device, similar to tools like glucometers or blood pressure monitors, would allow doctors to perform tests for cholesterol, liver and kidney panels directly in their clinics.
“With the help of a phlebotomist, blood samples could be analysed on-site, enabling early detection of health issues and providing timely guidance to patients about potential risks, especially for lifestyle-related diseases,” he told ThePrint.
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