Tyndall develops pain-free glucose test

A PAIN-FREE way of measuring glucose could spell the end of the traditional finger-prick test used by diabetics to test blood sugar levels, according to researchers at the Tyndall National Institute.

It follows the development of promising nano-technology used successfully in a laboratory to test for glucose in a simulated blood solution.

The technology could be used to measure glucose in saliva or tears — ending the requirement to draw blood, said lead researcher Alan O’Riordan.

In addition, Tyndall is looking at ways of applying the technology to other molecules to measure cholesterol levels or whether an individual is lactose intolerant.

They have already used it to measure hydrogen peroxide levels — a compound produced naturally of which trace amounts exist in the body.

According to the researchers, higher than normal levels of hydrogen peroxide may indicate the onset of disease, for example, and may be produced at higher concentrations in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

It is also a key indicator molecule for detecting whether food is gone off.

The nanosensor — which consists of nanowires 1,000 times smaller than a human hair set on a silicon chip — is not yet commercially viable but Dr O’Riordan said they are exploring ways of achieving greater economies of scale.

The tiny size of the technology — almost the same size as the molecules — makes it particularly successful for testing.

However it could take another decade to bring the product to market.

“It is the first step towards pain-free glucose detection but it will not be on the market tomorrow. It could take up to 10 years and we are looking at testing other molecules such as cholesterol, so it will take time.”

However, the technology could ultimately have multi-sectoral applications including security (detection of hydrogen peroxide in bombs), medicine and the food industry. Tyndall is hoping to collaborate with clinicians to develop the technology further.

Separately, a US firm in Maryland — Sensors for Medicine and Science — has announced results of a pilot study using the first implantable continuous glucose sensor, which it said has shown 96.8% accuracy.

However, Dr O’Riordan said Tyndall’s technology will allow non-invasive testing and does not require an implant.

The Tyndall Institute is one of Europe’s leading research centres and was one of the highlights of the Cork visit of Queen Elizabeth II.