Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a type of imaging probe that allows for earlier detection of acute kidney failure, a rapidly-developing condition that can be fatal.

The new renal probes, which have been tested in mice, are injected into the blood-stream. They ‘light up’ when they detect molecular changes caused by the onset of acute kidney failure.

Developed by Associate Professor Pu Kanyi and his team from NTU Singapore, these probes could potentially be used in test strips for urine samples, making it a non-invasive method of detecting acute kidney failure.

Assoc Prof Pu envisions the use of these probes in an intensive care unit setting, where early detection of acute renal failure is paramount to a patient’s survival.

He said, "In our next phase of research, we need to focus on further refining the probes with urine samples from critically ill patients. We plan to do this by collaborat-ing with medical institutions both in Singapore and overseas."

The team has filed a Singapore patent on this technology.