Washington University in St. Louis researchers have developed a thermostable microneedle patch designed to detect early acute kidney injury through minimally invasive skin sampling, according to a study published online Aug. 5 in Advanced Materials. The technology captures and preserves neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) antibodies without requiring refrigeration, potentially enabling home-based and point-of-care diagnostics for a condition that typically progresses silently in its early stages.
Microneedle Patch Technology and Biomarker Preservation
Engineers in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis collaborated with researchers at WashU Medicine and Texas A&M University to build the sensor. The team created microneedles coated with a metal-organic framework (MOF) shell that samples interstitial fluid in the skin. According to the research, this MOF encapsulation successfully preserves the biological functions of NGAL antibodies for up to four weeks at 50 C (122 F) without refrigeration. Yixuan Wang, a doctoral student in the lab of Srikanth Singamaneni, contributed to the work.
Did you know? NGAL increases in the blood within hours of a kidney injury, making it a clinically validated biomarker for acute damage. Traditional collection methods, however, require drawing blood with a needle and strict cold-chain logistics.
Overcoming Cold-Chain Logistics for Remote Monitoring
Kidney disease often progresses without symptoms until the condition reaches an advanced stage. While NGAL is a reliable early indicator, the reliance on refrigerated transport and traditional blood draws has limited its use in home-based or resource-limited settings. Srikanth Singamaneni, the Lilyan & E. Lisle Hughes Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, noted that the MOF encapsulation offers a scalable path to minimally invasive biosensing that resists environmental challenges.
Prior Research and Intellectual Property
The new patch builds on previous work from Singamaneni’s team, which established earlier microneedle designs to screen for disease biomarkers. Adapting that low-cost, easy-to-use technology required the researchers to expand the biosensor’s sensitivity and range while solving cold-chain hurdles. Singamaneni and Jeremiah J. Morrissey are the inventors of the plasmonic-fluor technology, which has been licensed by the Office of Technology Management at Washington University in St. Louis.
Funding and Support
The study was supported by funding from the National Science Foundation under grants CBET 2224610 and CBET 560 2316285. Additional support came from the National Institutes of Health under grants R21DK131557A1, R35 GM147568, R01 2DK105056-6, and R56DK138158A1, as well as the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs and a VA Merit award.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the microneedle patch detect?
The patch detects neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) antibodies, which serve as an early biomarker for acute kidney injury.
Does the patch require refrigeration?
Who led the research team?
The research originated from the lab of Srikanth Singamaneni at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, in collaboration with WashU Medicine and Texas A&M University.
Explore More: To read the full study details, consult the publication in Advanced Materials or visit the McKelvey Engineering website for additional updates on diagnostic innovations.
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