Longevity & AgingNew Nanosensor Detects Gut Health Biomarker IPA in Minutes Not Days
Singapore researchers have created a fluorescent nanosensor that can detect indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a molecule made by gut bacteria, directly from blood samples in minutes. IPA levels are linked to inflammation, metabolic health, and chronic disease risk, making it a promising gut health biomarker. Previously, measuring IPA required expensive mass spectrometry equipment in specialist labs. This new optical sensor was tested on 125 human plasma samples, successfully distinguishing healthy individuals from those with inflammatory bowel disease. The technology, developed by a collaboration between NIE, SMART, NUH, and NUS, could eventually make gut biomarker testing faster, cheaper, and far more accessible for preventive health monitoring.
