Major Breakthrough in Maternal and Neonatal Health
In a significant advancement towards improving maternal and neonatal health, a multi-institutional research team led by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has developed a revolutionary biosensor platform. This Point-of-Care (PoC) testing solution enables rapid and affordable screening of pregnant women for pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy complication.
Addressing a Critical Health Challenge
Pre-eclampsia (PE) severely impacts women and newborns worldwide, making early detection crucial for effective treatment and reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, traditional diagnostic methods often require extensive infrastructure and skilled personnel, limiting their accessibility in remote and resource-constrained areas. Recognizing this gap, the IIT Madras-led team has introduced a solution featuring the ‘3S’ qualities: sensitive, specific, and speedy.
Innovative Technology: The P-FAB Platform
Using advanced fibre optics sensor technology, the team designed the Plasmonic Fiber Optic Absorbance Biosensor (P-FAB) platform. This innovative system detects Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) — a key biomarker for pre-eclampsia — at femtomolar concentrations. To achieve this, the researchers employed a U-bent polymeric optical fiber (POF) sensor probe, which can deliver highly accurate results within just 30 minutes.
Prof. V.V. Raghavendra Sai from IIT Madras explained that PlGF levels typically peak between 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy but drop significantly in pre-eclampsia cases. Therefore, monitoring PlGF early can enable timely intervention.
Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective Solution
Moreover, the P-FAB platform stands out for its eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly design. Dr. Ratan Kumar Chaudhary, the first author of the study, highlighted that the device uses recyclable materials and requires minimal sample volume, making it ideal for deployment in remote settings.
Dr. Narayanan Madaboosi further emphasized that the technology has successfully passed key validation stages and is now moving toward field implementation through technology transfer and commercialization.
Broad Applications Beyond Pre-Eclampsia
Importantly, the team sees potential for the P-FAB platform beyond maternal health. Dr. Jitendra Satija pointed out that this versatile technology could be adapted to detect diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and Alzheimer’s, thanks to its low cost and simple fabrication process.
Early Detection and Preventive Care
Dr. Ramprasad Srinivasan stressed the critical advantage of early testing. By measuring PlGF levels as early as 11–13 weeks of gestation, healthcare providers can classify women into high-risk groups. This enables preventive interventions, such as administering low-dose aspirin, which can significantly lower the incidence of pre-eclampsia.
Technical Innovation: Polymer over Glass
Technically, the researchers chose polymeric optical fibers (POF) over traditional glass optical fibers (GOF) to enhance durability and reduce production costs. To address surface challenges associated with POFs, the team innovatively employed generation-4 poly(amidoamine) (G4-PAMAM) dendrimers for superior antibody binding. Notably, this study marks the first use of PAMAM dendrimer strategies in POF-based biosensing, paving the way for affordable, rapid diagnostics.
Published Findings and Future Prospects
As reported by bwhealthcareworld, the research findings have been published in the prestigious journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics. Moving forward, the team is optimistic about commercializing the P-FAB technology and expanding its application to a wide range of healthcare needs.