Scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking new blood test that can diagnose heart attacks in just five to seven minutes, a major advancement that could revolutionize emergency care.
Developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, this innovative test is not only faster but also more accurate and affordable than current diagnostic methods.
Led by assistant research scientist Peng Zheng, the team created a compact chip featuring a novel nanostructured surface for rapid blood analysis. Zheng emphasised, “We were able to invent a new technology that can quickly and accurately establish if someone is having a heart attack.”
Published in the journal Advanced Science, this proof-of-concept work has potential applications beyond cardiac diagnostics, including the detection of infectious diseases and cancer biomarkers. The test could serve as a portable tool for first responders in the field or even be used by individuals at home.
The chip employs a “metasurface” that enhances electric and magnetic signals during Raman spectroscopy analysis, allowing it to detect heart attack biomarkers in ultra-low concentrations—some that may go unnoticed with existing tests.
Senior author Ishan Barman, a bioengineer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, highlighted the test’s remarkable speed and accuracy, as well as its potential for use outside of clinical settings. “There is enormous commercial potential,” he noted, adding that the technology’s versatility is its greatest strength. The research team is now focused on refining the test and preparing for larger clinical trials.
“We’re talking about speed, we’re talking about accuracy, and we’re talking of the ability to perform measurements outside of a hospital,” said senior author Ishan Barman, a bioengineer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
