Tiny Gold Nanoparticles Show Promise in Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease
Introduction
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali have developed a nanotechnology-based biosensor capable of detecting Parkinson’s Disease (PD) at an early stage, potentially before clinical symptoms appear. PD is a rapidly growing neurological disorder worldwide, with the incidence expected to rise sharply in India due to an aging population and increasing life expectancy, placing significant pressure on healthcare systems.The research focuses on α-synuclein, a protein that is harmless in its normal form but aggregates into toxic clumps during Parkinson’s, leading to neuronal damage. Early detection of these toxic aggregates is critical for timely treatment, reducing long-term neurodegeneration and healthcare costs.
Key Highlights of the Research
- The team engineered gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), extremely small particles just a few nanometers in size, coated with naturally occurring amino acids to selectively bind different protein conformations:
- Proline-coated clusters bind to normal α-synuclein.
- Histidine-coated clusters attach to toxic aggregated forms.
- This selective “stickiness” allows accurate distinction between harmless and pathological forms of the protein.
- Extensive experimental techniques were employed:
- UV-Vis spectroscopy
- Fluorescence imaging
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- Electrochemical methods including cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy
- The biosensor was tested successfully in human-derived SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, confirming its safety and biological applicability.
- This platform could potentially be adapted for detecting other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease, making it a versatile diagnostic tool.
Institutional Collaboration
- Lead Researcher: Dr. Sharmistha Sinha, Senior Scientist, INST Mohali
- PhD Scholars: Harpreet Kaur, Ishani Sharma
- Collaborators: Dr. Deepak Sharma and Arpit Tyagi, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh
- Institution Background:
- INST Mohali: Autonomous institute under Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India
- Function: Focuses on nanoscience and nanotechnology research, development of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic platforms
Implications
- Early Diagnosis: Detects PD before symptom onset, enabling timely intervention.
- Improved Quality of Life: Reduces disease progression, minimizing neuronal damage.
- Healthcare Cost Reduction: Lowers long-term medical expenses by early intervention.
- Point-of-Care Potential: Label-free, low-cost, and clinically adaptable biosensor could be deployed in local health centers.
- Broader Applicability: Technique could extend to other protein misfolding disorders such as Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.
Publication
- Published in the journal Nanoscale (Royal Society of Chemistry)
- Confirms scientific validation and peer-reviewed status of the research.
India’s Nanotechnology Landscape (Static Part)
- Physicist Richard Feynman is considered the father of nanotechnology for his 1959 lecture, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”, which proposed manipulation of matter at atomic and molecular scales.
- Norio Taniguchi (Japan) coined the term “nanotechnology” in 1974.
- India ranks among the top five globally in nanotechnology research publications.
- Government Initiatives:
- National Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) launched in May 2007 by the Government of India.
- Phase-II (12th Plan period) continued the mission until March 31, 2017.
- Following completion of Nano Mission, it has been converted into the National Programme on Nano Science and Technology.
- Existing projects are being monitored, though no new projects are currently supported under the Nano Mission.
Updated - 26 Aug 2025, 5:22 PM | News Source: PIB Delhi, The Tribune