Innovative Technology Mimics Nature for Better Readings
MELBOURNE — Researchers at La Trobe University have announced a significant breakthrough in blood monitoring technology by developing a sensor capable of detecting molecular changes in blood with high sensitivity. This innovation, unveiled this week, has the potential to transform real-time personalized medicine, according to the research team.
The new sensor, created in collaboration with CSIRO, addresses persistent challenges in blood testing by preventing blood from clogging the sensor, a common issue in long-term monitoring. The technology employs a combination of lubricin, a protective coating, and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), an optical detection method, to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.
Associate Professor Wren Greene from La Trobe University stated, “The secret to our sensor is its cell-like structure which filters the molecules from blood, enabling ultra-sensitive SERS detection.” The sensor successfully detected the antibiotic Vancomycin in unprocessed blood samples over ten hours without losing sensitivity.
Advanced Sensor Technology
Dr. Mingyu Han from CSIRO highlighted that while other sensors have detected Vancomycin, this new sensor is 100 million times more sensitive. “It solves long-standing challenges in sensitivity, response speed, and surface fouling, opening the door to real-time molecular monitoring for personalized medicine,” Dr. Han explained.
The sensor’s development comes as the healthcare industry increasingly demands real-time monitoring technologies. SERS, though highly sensitive, often faces fouling issues, which the team overcame by using a lubricin-based shield, sourced from Lubris Biopharma, to prevent contamination. DNA-based receptors known as aptamers are integrated to capture target molecules effectively.
Published in the journal ACS Sensors, the research was supported by the ARC Research Hub for Molecular Biosensors at Point-of-Use (MOBIUS). La Trobe’s spinout company AlleSense is working on scaling up production, aiming to create affordable test strips similar to blood glucose tests, according to Professor Brian Abbey.
Source: newshub.medianet.com.au
Last updated: 19 March 2026, 10:37 am
