Researchers from the University of Notre Dame have developed a method of detecting peanut allergies that does not require the patient to be exposed to the allergen. These nanoparticles, called nanoallergens, mimic natural allergens, and are used to evaluate components of peanut allergy proteins, and assess the allergic response using a blood sample from the patient.
“The goal of this study was to show how nanoallergen technology could be used to provide a clearer and more accurate assessment of the severity of an allergic condition,” said Basar Bilgicer, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and a member of the Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics initiative at Notre Dame. “We are currently working with allergy specialist clinicians for further testing and verification of the diagnostic tool using a larger patient population. Ultimately, our vision is to take this technology and make it available to all people who suffer from food allergies.”
Full study available here.