Real-time sensor for monitoring metabolic processes

Metabolites are essential molecules involved in nearly all biological functions – from energy production to cellular regulation and maintaining physiological balance. Monitoring these molecules provides key insights into disease progression, health status, treatment response and the complexity of the human body. 

Most current metabolite detection methods, however, rely on lab-based analysis of isolated samples and offer only limited snapshots. A multidisciplinary team from the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCLA has now developed a sensor platform capable of continuously measuring multiple metabolites simultaneously.  

Called “Tandem Metabolic Reaction-based Sensors” (TMR sensors), the technology mimics natural metabolic processes. Built on electrodes made of single-wall carbon nanotubes, the sensors trigger enzyme-driven reactions that generate electrical signals corresponding to metabolite levels. 

“So we aimed to develop a sensor platform that can be applied to a wide range of metabolites while ensuring reliable operation in the body – and for that, we tapped into natural metabolic processes,” said lead author Sam Emaminejad. 

By integrating enzymes and cofactors, the sensors replicate complex biochemical pathways. This allows direct detection of over 800 metabolites and enables the measurement of even more through one-step conversions. 

In initial experiments, the research team tested the sensors using sweat and saliva samples from patients undergoing treatment for epilepsy and individuals with metabolic disorders. They also detected a gut microbiota-derived metabolite in the brain, which may play a role in neurological diseases. 

Potential use cases include: 

• Diagnostics and monitoring for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases 

• Personalized medicine by profiling individual metabolic signatures 

• Sports and performance monitoring through energy metabolism analysis 

• Drug development, such as evaluating metabolic effects of cancer therapies 

• Industrial biotechnology to optimize microbial production of bioactive compounds 

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA