New Magnetic Nanoparticles Findings from University of California Published (A GMR enzymatic assay for quantifying nuclease and peptidase activity).

Researchers at the University of California have developed a new method for measuring the activity of hydrolytic enzymes using magnetic nanoparticles. These enzymes play important roles in cellular processes, and their dysregulation is linked to various physiological and pathological conditions. The researchers used giant magnetoresistive (GMR) spin valve sensors functionalized with specific substrates for the enzymes, which caused a measurable shift in resistance when the enzymes cleaved their substrates. This assay is simple, rapid, and suitable for point-of-care settings, and it avoids issues associated with fluorescent methods. The researchers demonstrated the clinical application of this assay by measuring the activity of neutrophil elastase in sputum from cystic fibrosis patients. This innovative method provides a promising tool for real-time quantification of enzyme activities in diverse biological contexts. [Extracted from the article]