Researchers from the University of Adelaide have achieved a remarkable breakthrough: they’ve created the world’s first optical sensor capable of detecting vitamin B12 in human blood.
This development is crucial as it could potentially lead to affordable, easy-to-use tests for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Why is this significant? Because low levels of vitamin B12 have been linked to higher risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, especially in older adults.
The scientists, from different research groups including the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, and the Schools of Physical Sciences and Medicine, announced their research at an international biophotonics conference in Adelaide.
Biophotonics involves using light technologies to analyze and measure biological materials.
Dr Georgios Tsiminis, a Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide, explains the implications of their work.
He highlights that vitamin B12 deficiency is a potential risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and is linked with cognitive decline. Older adults are particularly susceptible due to less efficient absorption of vitamin B12 from their diet as they age.
Their newly developed sensor offers a stepping stone towards a user-friendly solution to measure and monitor B12 levels in adults as they age. This would enable doctors to intervene as soon as a B12 deficiency is identified.
At present, the sensor is still at the ‘proof-of-concept’ stage, meaning it’s a preliminary model showing that this kind of device can be developed. But once it’s fully developed, it could have far-reaching applications.
“Currently, our device couldn’t be used to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency in a doctor’s office,” explains Dr Tsiminis. “However, this is the first instance where a rapid technique based on optical spectroscopy has been able to detect vitamin B12 in human blood serum. We think this is a huge step forward.”
This sensor measures B12 levels in human blood in less than a minute with minimal preparation. It’s the first device that allows vitamin B12 levels to be measured in human blood serum without needing a full lab test.
The sensor works by using a method called Raman spectroscopy, which gives a unique ‘optical fingerprint’ of a specific molecule, in this case, vitamin B12.
Dr Tsiminis believes their method could lead to a portable, cost-effective system that delivers quick results, much like the pin-prick test for diabetes.
Right now, regular and frequent testing of B12 levels isn’t common due to time and cost constraints. However, with a device like this, testing could become a routine practice, potentially having a significant impact on the management of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
