OU researchers develop rapid low-cost sepsis test using gold nanoparticles

Hyderabad: Researchers from Osmania University (OU) have developed a low-cost, rapid diagnostic test using gold nanoparticles to detect sepsis, a life-threatening condition that affects one in every six ICU patients. For this innovation, Sandeepta Burgula, the principal investigator of the project, won the Woman Innovator Award at a global conference held in Malaysia on May 6 and 7. The test is designed for use even in low-resource settings like rural health centres and can deliver results within minutes. "The existing method takes one to two days for results. Our device can detect sepsis in just about 30 minutes," Sandeepta told TOI, adding that early diagnosis can help save lives by allowing treatment to begin immediately. A professor in the department of microbiology at OU, Sandeepta, currently in Malaysia to receive the award, said the team already established proof of concept and is now working towards building and commercialising the device. "The test will cost one-fourth the existing diagnostic methods, which are priced around ₹2,000, and has an accuracy of up to 90%," she added. The research team primarily used gold nanoparticles, nitrocellulose membranes, and antibodies to develop the test. "The serum extracted from blood is used to detect a specific protein that spikes during sepsis. Our test not only detects the presence of sepsis but also indicates its stage through a visible colour change, which occurs when the protein interacts with the antibodies," explained Ramesh Kande, a research scholar and project associate-I involved in the study. The team secured a patent for their method and is currently developing a prototype device with support from a department of biotechnology grant. The Malaysia conference saw participation from over 200 delegates representing countries like India, Germany, the US, Malaysia, and Italy, with 90 scientific presentations. OU officials said Sandeepta's innovation stood out for both its scientific merit and social impact.