Role of magnetic beads to become vital in treatment and detection of several health conditions

Scientists and researchers across the globe have been utilizing magnetic beads in finding treatments and improving health in various conditions. Various research studies have been coming forward that outline the importance of different types of magnetic beads in several health conditions. Researchers have been utilizing different approaches to detect presence of substances that may lead to various diseases. From controlling the preeclampsia condition during pregnancy to detection of misfolded proteins in blood samples that are major factors in conditions such as prion and Alzheimer’s, magnetic beads have been becoming vital components in the healthcare applications. Research and development activities are ongoing across the world and new findings are taking place. These new findings have contributed to the growth of the global market of magnetic beads. According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the magnetic  beads market is expected to reach $2.6 billion by 2027.

New studies have been emerging to showcase the utilization of magnetic beads in betterment of various health conditions. As per the new study published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension, functionalized magnetic beads can be helpful in lowering down complications related to blood pressure during pregnancy. Early laboratory tests conducted by researchers showed that the blood levels of harmful molecules that are increased during preeclampsia have been lowered due to functionalized magnetic beads. Preeclampsia is regarded as complications during pregnancy involving high blood pressure and kidney dysfunction. Having these complications may affect the mother and the infant along with increasing various risks later in life. Researchers have been striving to find cures for this condition.

Researchers from Cochin Hospital in Paris shifted their focus on the molecule sFlt-1, which goes into the bloodstream of a woman and increases its levels during preeclampsia. High levels of these molecules result in different conditions such as high blood pressure. In the laboratory, researchers conducted an experiment to determine if magnetic beads can eliminate sFlt-1 from blood. However, they found that utilization of magnetic beads reduced the levels of sFlt-1 by nearly 40%. Researchers decided to expand the study and use this approach for controlling preeclampsia.

The application areas of magnetic beads have been increasing in the healthcare settings. Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shifted their focus on detection of misfolded proteins in blood samples that are major factors in various diseases such as prion, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. These misfolded proteins are difficult to detect in blood samples of patients as their presence is in small quantities and they resemble to correctly folded proteins. For this detection, researchers utilized synthetic peptide-coated magnetic beads. These beads are able to bind to misfolded proteins, giving a way for rapid detection and diagnosis of these diseases.  Michael Connolly, one of the researchers involved in the study, outlined that magnetic beads work like a Velcro. There are multiple hooks on misfolded proteins that bind to beads. However, the correctly folded proteins have only a single hook and have much less binding affinity. Once these misfolded proteins are detected, they can be eliminated from the blood.

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