Method for Measuring Bioactive Molecules in Blood by a Smartphone Using Bioluminescent Ratiometric Indicators

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Bioluminescent indicators offer high sensitivity for detecting bioactive molecules in blood.
• Conventional light sensing devices can detect bioluminescence (BL) using bright luciferases.
• Existing methods for blood analysis can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a protocol for measuring bioactive molecules in blood using smartphone-captured bioluminescence (BL) images.
• To demonstrate the measurement of unconjugated bilirubin (UCBR) in mouse blood using a novel bioluminescent indicator and smartphone.
• To establish a practical, rapid, and simple method for potential point-of-care diagnostic applications.

Main Methods:

• Development of a ratiometric bioluminescent indicator, BABI (bilirubin assessment with a bioluminescent indicator), for UCBR detection.
• Utilizing a smartphone camera to capture bioluminescence (BL) images from blood samples.
• Quantifying UCBR concentration by analyzing variations in BL color captured by the smartphone camera.

Main Results:

• Successful measurement of unconjugated bilirubin (UCBR) concentration in mouse blood samples using the developed protocol.
• Demonstrated that UCBR concentration can be easily determined by analyzing BL color variance with a smartphone camera.
• Achieved high sensitivity in detecting bioactive molecules through bioluminescence.

Conclusions:

• A practical and sensitive method for measuring bioactive molecules in blood using smartphone-based bioluminescence imaging has been established.
• The described protocol offers a simplified approach for determining UCBR concentration, applicable to various bioactive molecules.
• This technology holds promise for the development of future point-of-care diagnostic tools with quick and straightforward procedures.