NUS and A*STAR Launch Revolutionary Wearable Skin Biomarker Sensor

In a groundbreaking advancement for healthcare technology, researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have introduced a novel wearable sensor that can detect skin biomarkers. This innovative sensor promises to transform the way we monitor and diagnose health conditions, offering a more convenient and non-invasive approach to health tracking.

At the forefront of this technological leap is Assistant Professor Liu Yuxin from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Working in collaboration with Dr. Yang Le, Principal Scientist and Head of the Sensors and Flexible Electronics Department of A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, and their dedicated team, including Mr Sherwin Tan and Ms Archana Sundarapandi, they have created a hydrogel-based sensor with the capability to detect biomarkers like cholesterol and lactate directly from the skin.

Revolutionizing Health Monitoring with Hydrogel Sensors

Traditional methods of biomarker detection often require invasive techniques involving biofluid samples such as blood or urine. These can be inconvenient for continuous monitoring. While sweat-based detection offers a non-invasive alternative, it poses its own challenges, including the need for sweat-inducing conditions. The new sensor developed by NUS and A*STAR overcomes these barriers by using a stretchable hydrogel that provides continuous and real-time detection of solid-state epidermal biomarkers (SEB) from the skin.

This sensor represents a significant advancement due to its sensitivity and ability to detect small amounts of biomarkers efficiently. It employs a bilayer hydrogel structure that facilitates the solvation, diffusion, and reaction of biomarkers, transmitting vital data wirelessly to an external device. Such innovations could be pivotal in managing chronic diseases, remote patient monitoring, and enhancing athletic performance monitoring.

Enhanced Sensitivity and Accuracy

One of the most compelling features of this sensor is its unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy, comparable to sophisticated techniques like mass spectrometry. Dr. Yang highlighted the sensor’s ability to monitor dry or non-sweaty skin, which offers a world-first in creating a new class of health indicators. This innovation significantly enhances user comfort and measurement precision, adapting to the skin’s natural elasticity.

In clinical scenarios, the sensor has shown strong correlations between skin-detected biomarkers and traditional blood samples, reinforcing its potential as a reliable alternative for monitoring conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and more.

Impacts and Future Prospects

This wearable sensor could revolutionize routine health checks, potentially replacing invasive tests like the glucose tolerance test for diabetes monitoring. Assistant Professor Liu envisions its use in monitoring glucose levels in pregnant women at home, reducing the need for frequent blood draws.

Additionally, the research team is exploring collaborations with cardiologists to establish the link between biomarkers such as lactate and cholesterol with heart health. Such developments are crucial, given that cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in Singapore.

Looking ahead, the NUS and A*STAR teams plan to enhance the sensor’s capabilities further, aiming to extend its duration and sensitivity. By integrating more analytes, they hope to broaden its applications across various health conditions. Collaborations with hospitals for clinical validation are also underway, strengthening the path to bring this technology to the market.

In summary, the wearable sensor developed by NUS and A*STAR marks an exciting chapter in healthcare innovation, promising to make health monitoring more accessible and less invasive. As the team continues to refine and validate their technology, this sensor could very well change the landscape of personal health management, providing real-time insights into the body’s vital signs and conditions.