[Hinews 하이뉴스] SEOUL, South Korea — Researchers from Sungkyunkwan University, led by Professor Oh Seok Kwon, and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, led by Dr. Moo-Seung Lee, have developed an ultrasensitive biosensor capable of early detection of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal condition marked by low platelet counts and kidney dysfunction.

HUS is notoriously difficult to diagnose early because its initial symptoms mimic those of gastroenteritis. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as blood tests or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), are time-consuming and require skilled personnel, limiting their practicality for rapid, on-site testing.

The research teams utilized graphene, a next-generation material known for its exceptional electrical conductivity and sensitivity, to create a biosensor that can detect toxins at femtogram (fg, 10⁻¹⁵g) levels. Unlike existing methods, this sensor requires no fluorescent markers or complex preprocessing, relying solely on changes in electrical signals for detection.

From left: Dr. Moo-Seung Lee, Principal Investigator at KRIBB; Dr. Kyung-Soo Lee, co-first author; Dr. Jai Eun An, co-first author; and Professor Oh Seok Kwon, co-principal investigator at Sungkyunkwan University (Photo courtesy of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology)
From left: Dr. Moo-Seung Lee, Principal Investigator at KRIBB; Dr. Kyung-Soo Lee, co-first author; Dr. Jai Eun An, co-first author; and Professor Oh Seok Kwon, co-principal investigator at Sungkyunkwan University (Photo courtesy of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology)

In animal studies, the biosensor accurately identified low concentrations of toxins that traditional tests struggled to detect, demonstrating both reliability and speed. The technology holds promise not only for early HUS diagnosis but also for curbing infectious disease outbreaks and improving patient survival rates.

“This biosensor’s ability to detect ultra-low toxin levels enables early diagnosis, which can enhance treatment outcomes and save lives,” said Dr. Moo-Seung Lee. “We anticipate it will transform the broader field of bio-diagnostics, with applications in food safety and infectious disease response.”

The findings were published in the international journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics. The research was supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Science and ICT, the National NanoFab Center, and key initiatives of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology.

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