Development of an ROS/RNS sensor for the early detection of osteoarthritis

For decades, researchers have sought to identify translational potential by pinpointing mechanisms underpinning osteoarthritis, with little success – any potential development in this direction is therefore of huge significance, as was highlighted by our discussions with our PPIE panel who clearly identified early diagnosis as an unmet clinical need.

One of the many reasons for a lack of disease modifying treatments for osteoarthritis is the lack of available biomarkers of osteoarthritis.

This project utilises our developments in electrochemical sensing of ROS/RNS to determine their fingerprint in osteoarthritis and whether this can be further developed for early detection of disease.

Our innovation has several applications, including informing on fundamental biological processes, whilst also having the potential to impact on treatment strategies in injury. This therefore will have clinical impact in the long-term, with positive outcomes for patients and reduction in the socio-economic burden of this disease.

Whilst our focus is oxidative stress, the sensor could be adapted for other signalling molecules, opening a multitude of potential applications. Ultimately, our sensor has the potential for enabling remote sensing in human joints to provide a read-out of pathology, allowing prevention of disease. Our sensor could also be used in clinical trials of new osteoarthritis drugs, leading to patient-specific drug dosages.