University of Tennessee Research Foundation

Technology Transfer & Licensing

Immunoassay Complexes for Early Detection of Miscarriage Biomarkers ​

The Problem

20% of pregnancies result in miscarriage, with > 80% of miscarriages occurring within the first trimester. Currently, there are no rapid, on-demand methods to measure miscarriage risk in early and on-going pregnancies. The biomarker used to detect miscarriage, chorionic gonadotropin, is useful within the first 9 to 12 weeks but becomes less relevant as patients enter the 2nd and 3rd trimester. In addition, invasive examinations are often necessary to confirm miscarriage has occurred, which can lead to further detriment of a patient’s wellbeing. To circumvent these issues, a better biomarker detection method is needed. ​

The Solution

Researchers at the University of Tennessee have created a new line of materials as part of a system of immunoassays that can detect and quantify concentrations of kisspeptin and other hormones of interest. The assays utilize the principles of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and the combination of engineered nano- and mag-tag nanoparticles to generate sandwich complexes that accurately and rapidly measure kisspeptin within physiological ranges. ​

SERS-Based Kisspeptin Sandwich Immunoassay Complex​

 

Benefits

Benefit

More Information

  • UTRF Reference ID: 24073
  • Patent Status: Patent Pending
In the pictures of the ultrasound 4 weeks of pregnancy and 20 weeks is a phonendoscope. The concept of the study of pregnancy.

Innovators

Brian Keith Whitlock

Professor, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UTIA, UT Knoxville

Brian K Whitlock, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate American College of Theriogenology. Dr. Whitlock holds a BS (Chemistry) from Campbellsville University, MS (Animal Science) from Michigan State University, a DVM from Auburn University, Ph.D. from Auburn University, and is a specialist in reproduction as a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenology. His research focus is reproductive physiology and endocrinology, and interaction of metabolic and reproductive systems.

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Bhavya Sharma

Associate Professor, Chemistry, UT Knoxville

Dr. Sharma received her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research interests are the characterization of the underlying physics and chemistry of biological processes. Her research goal is to use innovative Raman spectroscopic methods to create new approaches for the early detection of diseases. ​

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Avery Lauren Wood

Graduate Research Student, Department of Chemistry, UT Knoxville

Dr. Wood received her PhD at the University of Tennessee in 2023. Her dissertation research was focused on the indirect detection of hormones at low level concentration in biological samples using a Raman reporter. ​

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