The researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have developed an instrument which uses a microfluid-based technique to estimate the concentration of albumin in human urine with greater accuracy than the urine dipsticks available in the market.
What is albumin
Albumin is a protein made by the liver. It helps in keeping fluid in the bloodstream so it doesn’t leak into other tissues. Albumin also carries various substances throughout our body, including hormones, vitamins, and enzymes.
Low albumin levels can indicate a problem with liver or kidneys. The less albumin in your urine, the better.
Dipstick test for albumin
A dipstick test performed on a urine sample can detect the presence of albumin in the urine. For the test, a nurse or technician places a dipstick, a strip of chemically treated paper, into the urine. The dipstick changes color if albumin is present in the urine.
Research conducted by IIT Mandi
The research funded by the HRD Ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Emware Technologies, has been conducted by IIT Mandi and will help detect many health disorders in a premature phase.
The researchers have also filed a patent for the instrument as well as the dye mixed with urine to get accurate results.
About the research
“The research project revolves around using microfluidic techniques to estimate the concentration of albumin in urine with greater accuracy as compared to the urine dip sticks available in the market,” Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury, who is leading the research, said.
“The system when used with novel dye, estimates the concentration of albumin in urine at a resolution as low as 3.3 micrograms as opposed to the state of the technology that can estimate the concentration of albumin in urine in being greater than 30 micrograms,” he added.
Courtesy : IndiaToday
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