The Analytical Scientist - 07.2019

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WWW.BIOS-ANALYTIQUE.COM David Augustus

Upfront^13

and identify markers linked to specific

aspects of this disease.”

SMA isolates proteins from cell

membranes in tiny, disc-like nanoparticles

due to its structure, which cuts through

the membrane to release the disc and

maintain its stability. “We found that

we were able to identify proteins from

membranes and elsewhere in the cells in

our collected material,” says Smith.

The research group now plans to

exploit their finding that SMA can

nondestructively sample proteins from

cells and intact tissues. To that end, they

have a series of six goals.

But what happens if proteins that signal

disease progression are identified? “Detecting

a biomarker of change in cells due to the

pre-diabetes state will give solid evidence of

the need for intervention,” explains Smith.

“Early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is linked

to significant risk reduction, with scope

for further reduction if treatments can be

directed by evidence obtained from the site of

disease damage.” To that end, the researchers

will not only identify biomarkers of disease

development in patients with established

diabetes, but also search for markers of

higher risk of disease complications.

Figure 1. The research team’s six goals for SMA.