New Biosensor to Analyze Sweat and Detect Metabolic Syndrome

Researchers from Caltech, USA, have developed a wearable sensor that can monitor biomarkers including amino acids, vitamins, metabolites, lipids, hormones, and drugs continuously in sweat. In addition, the sensor can assess metabolic syndrome, including diabetes and its associated cardiovascular diseases. The sensor comprises of graphene electrodes, imprinted polymers that act like antibodies to bind with metabolites, redox-active reporter nanoparticles that react with metabolites in sweat, and a microfluid module that helps to test a small amount of sweat. The sensor electrochemically analyzes the sweat during physical exercise and at rest and sends the results to a mobile app called NutriTrek via Bluetooth ( Figure 1 ).

The research team has also integrated the sensor and the app into a smartwatch. Figure 1 . A) The Biosensor and the biosensor with the wearable system B) A schematic…