Heart attack early detection by nanoparticles

Nano-optics for early detection of heart attacks

01/15/2015

With the help of nano-optics, the early detection of myocardial infarction could possibly be significantly improved in the future, according to the current release of the Karl-Franzens-University Graz. In their pioneering work, the researchers of the Institute of Physics of the Karl Franzens University in the project „PP BIOSENS“ Together with scientists from the Medical University of Graz and the research company Joanneum Research, they have produced tiny gold particles that, thanks to their optical properties, can detect proteins such as those that play a key role in cardiac infarct screening.

The goal of the research team led by project manager is Dr. Ing. Alfred Leitner of the Institute of Physics of the Karl Franzens University was the development of highly sensitive biosensors, which make it possible to detect a heart attack quickly and safely. Here come „Proteins, such as myoglobin, as a biomarker of particular importance“, reports the Karl Franzens University. Its occurrence in the blood is an indication of the disease and, if it is detected in good time, make an early diagnosis possible. Here can be done with special methods of nano-optics proof.

Nanoparticles reliably measurable
The Austrian scientists have already achieved some success in their previous research. For example, Verena Häfele from the Nano-Optics group at the Institute of Physics of the Karl Franzens University designed and manufactured gold nanoparticles that can concentrate light in areas of just a few nanometers, which corresponds to the size of the proteins sought. As part of the current project, Dr. Peter Abuja from the Institute of Pathology of the Medical University exemplifies two relevant for cardiac infarction early detection proteins. The nanoparticles were subsequently used by the chemist Stefan Koestler and his team at the research company Joanneum Research covered with a molecular layer, which in turn led to an altered scattering of light through the nanoparticles. They could now be recognized with the help of nano-optics. That's what researchers have „developed a fast and reliable measurement method that allows the detection limits to be shifted to the detection of individual proteins, which would allow the diagnosis of diseases at a very early stage“, so the message of the university. (Fp)

Image: Ingo Rosenthal