An interdisciplinary team led by the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCLA has developed a groundbreaking sensor technology capable of continuously monitoring a broad range of metabolites, a significant advancement in understanding health and disease. This innovation, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, addresses current limitations in metabolite tracking methods, which often rely on resource-heavy lab tests or focus solely on blood sugar monitoring.
Metabolites are crucial compounds involved in various bodily functions, including energy production and cell regulation. By tracking these molecules, researchers can gain valuable insights into disease progression, health status, and treatment responses. However, existing methods often provide only limited, isolated snapshots of metabolite levels.
The new sensor platform developed by the UCLA team utilizes natural biochemical processes to measure multiple metabolites simultaneously. This sensor, described as a “tandem metabolic reaction-based sensor” (TMR sensor), harnesses the power of enzymes and cofactors to mimic the body’s metabolic reactions, allowing for real-time, continuous monitoring of metabolites in living systems.
“Our goal was to develop a versatile sensor that can track a broad spectrum of metabolites while ensuring it functions reliably within the body,” said Sam Emaminejad, senior corresponding author and associate professor at UCLA. “We tapped into natural metabolic processes to make this possible.”
Unlike traditional sensors, which typically monitor only a single type of metabolite, TMR sensors can detect over 800 metabolites directly and can track a much broader range with just one conversion step. This innovation offers a major leap forward in biosensing capabilities, providing high sensitivity and stability, thanks to the evolutionary fine-tuning of enzymes and cofactors.
The sensors, constructed from single-wall carbon nanotubes, ensure efficient reactions at low voltages, optimizing enzyme activity while minimizing side effects. The team demonstrated the technology’s potential by continuously measuring 12 clinically relevant metabolites in patients with epilepsy, diabetes, and neurological disorders, confirming its accuracy and utility.
The potential applications for TMR sensors are vast. They could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, allowing for personalized care based on an individual’s metabolic profile. In drug development, these sensors could offer real-time insights into how treatments influence metabolic pathways, while also optimizing the development of antibiotics and other therapies.
One particularly promising application is in studying the gut-brain connection, an emerging field in biomedical research. By continuously tracking metabolites, the sensors could provide crucial data on how changes in gut activity affect mental health and disease progression.
Looking ahead, the research team is focused on expanding the technology’s capabilities and exploring new diagnostic possibilities. As Emaminejad explains, “We are now able to test important hypotheses that previously lacked key data, paving the way for a deeper understanding of how the gut influences overall health.”