A newly fabricated bio-electronic uric acid detecting device can be used for wearable sensors and point-of-care diagnostics

Source: The post is based on the article “A newly fabricated bio-electronic uric acid detecting device can be used for wearable sensors and point-of-care diagnostics” published in PIB on 25th April 2023

What is the News?

Researchers from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati have developed a new flexible bio-electronic uric acid detecting device.

What is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is one of the most important antioxidants that maintain blood pressure stability and reduce oxidative stress in living beings. 

It is formed when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines are normally produced in the body and are also found in some foods and drinks.

The usual range of uric acid in blood ranges from 0.14 to 0.4 mmol dm-3 and for urine, 1.5 to 4.5 mmol dm-3. 

However, the fluctuation of uric acid levels due to the lack of balancing between the production and excretion causes several diseases like hyperuricemia, which in turn may lead to gout disease, type 2 diabetes, increase risk of cardiovascular diseases, Lesch–Nyhan syndrome, hypertension, and renal disorders.

What have the researchers developed?

Researchers have developed a new flexible bio-electronic uric acid detecting device. The device so developed is simple, portable, cost-effective and easy to fabricate for detecting uric acid.

This device outperforms all currently available ones in terms of effectiveness and cost because it doesn’t need any enzymes.