Alzheimer's: a biosensor opens up new avenues for diagnosis and a possible therapy to combat the disease
The most common form of Alzheimer's is late-onset. The possible genetic basis and underlying cause of the disease are still unknown. Only the risk factors are known, including epigenetic alterations, which alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Responsible for these processes are microRNAs, short RNA sequences.
The study is an Italian collaboration between the Department of Experimental Medicine of Sapienza University of Rome and the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Naples Federico II; it focuses on one particular sequence, miR-29a, as the latter would appear to play a protective role in Alzheimer's disease, the values of which in the blood decrease in patients suffering from the disease.
The result of this study, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, is the design of a biosensor capable of detecting miR-29a values in the blood. In the future, this device will be portable and miniaturised. It can be used on a large scale to screen for miR-29a, which, according to the latest data, is expected to be an important biomarker and a possible target for future therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
The research group comprises Professor Stefano Cinti of the University of Naples with his researchers Antonella Miglione, Ada Raucci, Jussara Amato, Simona Marzano, Bruno Pagano and Sapienza researchers Tiziana Raia, Marco Lucarelli, Andrea Fuso.
References:
Antonella Miglione, Ada Raucci, Jussara Amato, Simona Marzano, Bruno Pagano, Tiziana Raia, Marco Lucarelli, Andrea Fuso, and Stefano Cinti “Printed Electrochemical Strip for the Detection of miRNA- 29a: A Possible Biomarker Related to Alzheimer’s Disease”,2022, Bioanalitical Chemistry.
Further Information
Professor Andrea Fuso
Department of Experimental Medicine
