Metal ions detected from mouse side... Korean-American researchers develop ultrasonic technology for in vivo ion detection

UNIST Kim Geon and US Research Team Develop DNA Sensor Activation Diagnostic Technology

Principle of Fluorescence Generation by Detecting Zinc Ions Published in JACS Paper

A study demonstrating the principle of the developed ultrasonic DNA sensor-based metal ion detection technology.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A technology to look into metal ions inside the body has been developed.

Korean and American researchers introduced a diagnostic technology that detects metal ions such as zinc and calcium in the body using ultrasound.

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) announced on the 13th that Professor Kim Geon of the Department of Urban Environmental Engineering, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Texas and the University of Illinois, developed a technology that activates a DNA sensor (DNAzyme) with ultrasound heat to monitor metal ions in vivo.

The activated DNA sensor detects metal ions and emits fluorescence, allowing the metal ions to be visually confirmed.

The research team explained, "With this technology, we succeeded in detecting zinc ions not only at the single-cell level but also in the flank of a living mouse."

They added, "This brings us closer to developing various diagnostic technologies and elucidating the role of metal ions in the body."

Previously, DNA sensors were activated using optical lasers, but lasers could not penetrate deeply into the skin or muscles, limiting their application in various fields.

DNA sensors are artificial substances made by modifying DNA, known as genetic material, and are attracting attention as a biocompatible medical diagnostic platform.

The research team overcame these technical limitations by developing an ultrasound system. They applied a technology that precisely controls the thermal energy of ultrasound to maintain a specific temperature of 43°C for a long operating time.

If the temperature is too low, the sensor is not sufficiently activated, reducing the sensitivity of metal ion detection, and if it is too high, the tissues of living animals are damaged, making related research difficult.

When the DNA sensor was injected into the flank of a living mouse and ultrasound treatment was applied for 30 minutes, stronger fluorescence was observed compared to the untreated area. This demonstrated the excellent DNA sensor activation capability of ultrasound.

Researcher Seongwon Shim (left) and Professor Geon Kim.

Professor Kim Geon explained, "This study shows that ultrasound technology can be used not only for existing photodynamic therapy and imaging but also for detecting specific components in the body and activating nanoparticles for drug delivery."

Professor Kim Geon, who joined UNIST's Department of Urban Environmental Engineering in 2020, conducts convergent research encompassing construction engineering, polymer chemistry, and ultrasound technology.

Representative examples include the development of polymer-based new materials for safer social infrastructure and ultrasound-based building safety diagnostic technologies.

The results of this study were published on March 19 in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), one of the top chemistry journals.

The research was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the UNIST New Faculty Settlement Project.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.