INST Mohali develops gold nanocluster sensor for early detection of Parkinson's disease
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, have developed a gold nanocluster-based biosensor that distinguishes normal and toxic forms of the Parkinson's-linked protein α-synuclein, the DST said on 26 August 2025.
Summary
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a gold nanocluster-based biosensor for early detection of Parkinson's disease, the DST said on 26 August 2025. The sensor tells apart the harmless and toxic aggregated forms of α-synuclein, a protein linked to Parkinson's, by sensing their surface charge. Proline-coated gold nanoclusters bind the normal protein while histidine-coated clusters latch onto the toxic aggregates.
Key facts
- Announced
- 26 Aug 2025, DST
- Institute
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali
- Disease
- Parkinson's disease – early detection
- Target protein
- α-synuclein
- Tool
- Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) coated with amino acids
- Mechanism
- Proline-coated → normal form; histidine-coated → toxic aggregates
Practice MCQs 1 questions
The gold nanocluster biosensor for early detection of Parkinson's disease, announced by DST in August 2025, distinguishes between normal and toxic forms of which protein?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — α-synuclein
The INST Mohali sensor distinguishes the harmless and toxic aggregated forms of α-synuclein, a protein linked to Parkinson's disease.