Researchers from Flinders University in Australia and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan have developed a new and more accurate way to test for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Their work focuses on detecting levels of a protein called human serum albumin (HSA), which is a key indicator of kidney health.
When HSA is found in urine in high amounts, it usually signals that the kidneys are not working properly.
CKD is a growing problem around the world, especially as the population ages. In Australia, about 1.7 million adults—roughly 11% of the population—live with this condition.
One of the biggest challenges in managing CKD is that it often doesn’t show clear symptoms in its early stages. Many people don’t even know they have it until it becomes more serious. That’s why early and accurate testing is so important.
In this new project, researchers used an innovative method called fluorescent biosensors with a special feature known as “aggregation-induced emission” (AIE). These sensors light up in a special way when they detect HSA in a sample.
They are built into a high-tech surface, or “metasurface,” that helps make the test more sensitive and accurate. The research team improved this platform by combining it with a tiny fluid channel system that allows urine samples to flow over the test area smoothly and efficiently.
Qi Hu, a PhD student from Flinders University, helped lead the project during a research exchange in Japan. Working with Dr. Masanobu Iwanaga, an expert in optical biosensing, Hu helped refine the device so that it can quickly and accurately detect changes in HSA levels.
The test is designed to work in real-time, meaning doctors and healthcare workers can get fast results. It also uses very small amounts of testing liquid, which makes it more cost-effective.
Professor Youhong Tang, who helped oversee the project in Australia, says this technology could be especially useful for detecting diabetic kidney disease and sudden kidney injuries.
The device’s small size and affordability could make it easy to use in remote areas or in clinics with fewer resources. This is important because many people in rural or low-income areas do not have access to the same level of healthcare and testing as those in larger cities.
Dr. Iwanaga added that the new system could serve as a type of biomedical testing chip that helps measure important health markers in a fast and reliable way. He believes it has strong potential for improving medical diagnostics and making them more available to more people.
The research paper, titled “Metasurface Platform Incorporating Aggregation Induced Emission Based Biosensor for Enhanced Human Serum Albumin Detection,” was published in the journal Advanced Optical Materials. It marks a major step forward in using light-based technology to detect kidney disease earlier and more accurately.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about Common statin drug is linked to kidney damage and findings of How drinking coffee can affect your kidney health.
For more information about kidney health, please read studies about Scientists find important cause of kidney disease and findings of Cruciferous vegetables may reverse kidney damage in diabetics.
The study is published in Advanced Optical Materials.
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