Ajou University Research Team Develops 'Disease Diagnostic Kit'... Discovery of 'Protease' Detection Technology

Measurement Technology Using Pregnancy Test Kits

The research team at Ajou University has developed a technology that can measure the activity of protease enzymes using pregnancy test kits. This technology is expected to serve as a foundational technology for diagnostic kits that can quickly and easily diagnose diseases.

On the 21st, Ajou University announced that a joint research team led by Professors Yoo Tae-hyun and Yoon Hyun-chul (Department of Applied Chemical and Biological Engineering and Graduate School of Molecular Science and Technology) developed a sensor capable of measuring protease activity and found a method to analyze it using pregnancy test kits.

The research was published in the September issue of 'Biosensors and Bioelectronics,' a top journal in the field of sensor analytical chemistry, under the title "Development of a Method for Measuring Protease Activity Using Pregnancy Test Kits." Professors Yoo and Yoon participated as co-corresponding authors, with Dr. Park Hyun-ji from the Molecular Science and Technology Center and graduate student Kim Yoo-sun from the Graduate School of Molecular Science and Technology as co-first authors, and graduate students Lee Kyung-won and Kwon Min-ji as co-authors.

Proteases are enzymes that cleave peptide bonds and are involved in protein degradation. Various phenomena in the human body such as differentiation, growth, immunity, and infection are regulated by proteases, which are protein-degrading enzymes. Abnormal activity of these enzymes is associated with the occurrence of several diseases including cancer, inflammatory diseases, and Alzheimer's disease.

The sensor developed by the Ajou University research team was designed to easily manufacture sensor materials according to the type of protease. The team reported experimental results for three representative proteases among many: MMP-2, thrombin, and caspase-3. They also confirmed that analysis results could be obtained through a smartphone camera and app, demonstrating that protease detection is relatively easy and convenient even in environments with limited resources for biological material analysis.

Professor Yoo stated, "The sensor materials and pregnancy test kits developed in this study can be manufactured with simple processes," adding, "We expect this to lead to the development of protease diagnostic kits that can be used for the diagnosis and management of various diseases."

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