Key Points

The first-of-its-kind sensor detects osteopontin (OPN) -- a key biomarker for bone cancer.

The device is reagent-free, portable, and cost-effective and is ideal for rural healthcare, said the research team led by Dr. Pranjal Chandra from the School of Biochemical Engineering.

The device works much like a glucose metre and enables quick, accurate, and on-the-spot detection, even in resource-limited settings.

The device uses a custom sensor surface composed of gold and redox-active nanomaterials, allowing it to function similarly to a glucose meter.

"This technology simplifies cancer detection and empowers primary health centres," said Prof. Chandra. The findings are published in the prestigious journal Nanoscale (Royal Society of Chemistry, UK).

OPN is a crucial biomarker associated with osteosarcoma -- a highly aggressive form of bone cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents.

While current methods to detect OPN are costly and time-consuming, the new device offers rapid and accurate results with minimal equipment.

It is designed as a reagent-less immunosensor, which enables on-the-spot and affordable testing. It is especially beneficial in rural and resource-constrained areas where early cancer detection is often delayed.

Cancer is a major public health concern in India, with rising incidence rates and significant mortality.

Lauding the innovation, Director Prof. Amit Patra called it "a prime example of technology with a human face". He said it contributes to precision medicine and national health priorities. He added that the innovation aligns with the government's Make in India and Start-up India initiatives.

A patent application has been filed, and efforts are underway to convert the prototype into a smartphone-compatible diagnostic kit for remote healthcare access, the researchers said.

- IANS