Physicists at the Australian National University (ANU) have developed a groundbreaking method using nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze proteins in the blood. This innovative approach can detect biomarkers that indicate early signs of neurodegeneration or the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. By conducting a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive blood test, researchers can predict an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s up to 20 years before symptoms manifest.
The ANU team created an ultra-thin silicon chip embedded with “nanopores,” minute holes that can break down proteins one by one. Leveraging advanced AI algorithms, the scientists achieved high accuracy protein identification. The study, published in the esteemed journal Small Methods, showcases the convergence of solid-state nanopore sensing and machine learning.
Early detection of Alzheimer’s is crucial for effective treatment and positive health outcomes. Currently, the disease is diagnosed primarily based on evidence of mental decline, which suggests significant brain damage has already occurred. Common diagnostic procedures involve invasive and costly hospital measures such as lumbar punctures, which place a heavy physical and psychological burden on patients.
In contrast, ANU’s blood test technology only requires a small blood sample, which is placed on the silicon chip and inserted into a portable device resembling a cell phone. The AI algorithm within the device scans for specific protein signatures associated with early signs of Alzheimer’s. Notably, the algorithm can be configured to identify multiple neurological diseases simultaneously, including Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Professor Patrick Kluth, a co-author of the study from the ANU Institute of Physics, emphasizes the significance of early detection. Providing individuals with knowledge of their risk level allows ample time for lifestyle adjustments and the adoption of medical strategies that may slow disease progression.
The convenience and accessibility of this blood test make it particularly beneficial for individuals residing in regional and remote areas. General practitioners and clinicians can administer the simple and swift examination, eliminating the need for hospital visits.
Proteins, known as the building blocks of life, contain a distinctive genetic blueprint unique to each individual. They harbor essential clues about our health, including indications of deteriorating brain cells. In Australia, dementia ranks as the second leading cause of death, with over 400,000 Australians currently affected. Predictions indicate this number will more than double by 2058.
The incidence of Alzheimer’s in Korea is also on the rise, according to Professor Baek Min-seok from Yonsei University’s Wonju College of Medicine. Analyzing national big data from the National Health Insurance Corporation, Baek discovered a significant increase in cases. In 2006, the incidence of Alzheimer’s dementia per 1,000 people was 1.83, which surged to 5.21 in 2015.
Identifying proteins that exhibit signs of early neurodegeneration can be likened to finding a needle in a haystack. Blood is a complex fluid containing over 10,000 different biomolecules. To overcome this challenge, advanced filtration techniques, alongside the nanopore platform and intelligent machine learning algorithms, allow for the detection of even the most elusive proteins.
The ANU screening technology is predicted to become available within the next five years. Its potential impact in revolutionizing Alzheimer’s diagnosis and patient outcomes cannot be overstated. By harnessing the power of nanotechnology and AI, scientists are bringing us one step closer to effectively combating this debilitating disease.
Chemical News Reporter,
Kim Min-cheol
Analysis of proteins in blood using nanotechnology combined with artificial intelligence (AI)
A simple, inexpensive, non-invasive blood test method
Development of an ultra-thin silicon chip containing “nanopores” for protein analysis
Published on the 18th in ‘Small Method’, a world-renowned academic journal specializing in nanoscience.
“ANU’s screening technology will be available within the next five years.”
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but early detection before symptoms appear can greatly improve patient health outcomes.
Old man / Photo source – Pripick
It is news that physicists at the Australian National University (ANU) have designed a method of using nanotechnology together with artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze proteins in the blood and find biomarkers that indicate signs of early neurodegeneration or the onset of Alzheimer’s.
This could help predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease up to 20 years before symptoms appear, and is done through a simple, cheap, non-invasive blood test.
ANU physicists have developed an ultra-thin silicon chip containing “nanopores” – tiny nanometer-sized holes that break down proteins one at a time – with the help of advanced AI algorithms. The study was published by Wiley. It was published on the 18th in Small Methods, a world-renowned academic journal specializing in nanoscience.
‘High accuracy protein identification: convergence of solid-state nanopore sensing and machine learning’ / Capture small methods
“If you know your risk level in advance, you will have plenty of time to initiate positive lifestyle changes and adopt medication strategies that may help slow the progression of the disease.”
A small amount of blood is placed on a silicon chip and inserted into a portable device about the size of a cell phone, which then uses an AI algorithm to search for signatures that match proteins that indicate early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. ANU scientists explain that the algorithm can be trained to check for multiple neurological diseases at the same time, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Co-author Professor Patrick Kluth, from the ANU Institute of Physics, said: “Alzheimer’s disease is currently diagnosed mainly on the basis of evidence of mental decline, meaning that the disease has already caused significant damage to the brain at some point.”
“Early detection, which is essential for effective treatment, usually involves invasive and expensive hospital procedures such as lumbar punctures, which can be physically and psychologically taxing on patients, whereas our technology requires a blood sample only small, and patients can get very close results. real time.”
GPs and other clinicians can carry out the quick, simple test, eliminating the need for a hospital visit and being particularly convenient for people living in regional and remote areas.
Proteins are the building blocks of life, they contain a unique genetic blueprint that is unique to each individual, and they contain important clues about our health, including signs of decaying brain cells.
In Australia, dementia is the second leading cause of death. It is estimated that more than 400,000 Australians suffer from dementia, and the number is expected to more than double by 2058.
Incidence rate of Alzheimer’s dementia by age / Taken from the hospital newspaper
The number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease in Korea is also increasing. According to the hospital’s newspaper, last year Professor Baek Min-seok of the Department of Neurology of Yonsei University’s Wonju College of Medicine used the National Health Insurance Corporation’s national big data to follow up on the data of 2,000 men and women over the age of 40 in Korea O consequently, the incidence of Alzheimer’s dementia per 1,000 people in 2006 was 1.83. It increased approximately 2.85 times from 5.21 people in 2015.
The researchers describe finding proteins with signs of early neurodegeneration as looking for a needle in a haystack.
“Blood is a complex fluid containing more than 10,000 different biomolecules. Using advanced filtration techniques and leveraging a nanopore platform together with intelligent machine learning algorithms, we can identify even the most elusive proteins.”
This ANU screening technology is expected to become available within the next five years.
Chemical News Reporter Kim Min-cheol
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