Mon Dec 16 12:42:08 UTC 2024: ## Hyderabad Researchers Develop Low-Cost Biosensor for Rapid Triglyceride Detection

**HYDERABAD, INDIA (December 16, 2024)** – Researchers at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Hyderabad campus, have developed a low-cost, rapid electrochemical biosensor for detecting triglycerides (TGs), a key indicator of heart disease risk. The device, detailed in a recent publication in *IEEE Sensors Letters*, utilizes screen-printed carbon electrodes and gold-cerium oxide nanoparticles to significantly enhance the speed and sensitivity of TG detection.

Unlike existing methods costing ₹300-₹500, the new biosensor’s test electrode costs only approximately ₹10, making it significantly more accessible for widespread use. The device requires no sample pre-treatment and is portable, facilitating point-of-care diagnostics. This allows for real-time monitoring of TG levels, crucial for preventing and managing heart conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis.

The research team, led by principal investigator R.N. Ponnalagu and co-principal investigator Sanket Goel, utilizes a lipase enzyme immobilized on the electrode to react with TGs, generating an electrical current proportional to the TG concentration. The researchers are currently working on a turnkey prototype and plan to commercialize the technology through their startup, Pyrome Innovation. The work will be presented at the 2025 IEEE Applied Sensing Conference in Hyderabad. The research was supported by the Semiconductor Research Corporation, USA. This breakthrough promises to revolutionize heart disease prevention and management by providing affordable and readily available TG testing.

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