Malayali man behind painless sugar test

Thiruvananthapuram: If you are a diabetic, and fed up with messy and painful finger-pricking blood test sugar levels, here is good news for you. A team of researchers, led by Malayali scientist Gin Jose of Leeds University, has designed a laser sensor that can read the blood sugar level, obviating the painful process of drawing blood.

The sensor uses a nano-engineered silica glass with which low-intensity lasers generate fluorescence in blood. This will be analysed to measure the level of glucose. It is possible to measure glucose levels in the bloodstream in less than 30 seconds, the university said. A pilot study had taken place but further clinical trials would be needed.

“The technology has continuous monitoring capabilities making it ideal for development as a wearable device,” the university said. Dr Jose, who hails from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam, said, “We have plans to develop the equipment for Type 1 diabetes patients first.”