Raman Institute Experts Create Device To Detect Alcohol Effect On RBC

To detect and decode the effects of prolonged alcohol exposure to red blood cells (RBC), scientists of Raman Research Institute (RRI) have developed a high-resolution platform to measure RBC size. The electro-fluid device was designed to detect shrinkage of RBCs upon alcohol exposure via enhanced resolution. Besides, it can be tuned for a point-of-care screening from several other blood-related conditions in the future. Relying on the resistive pulse sensing principle, the device would give direct and sensitive information of cell count and volume through the electrical pulses of RBCs. The effect of alcohol on RBCs is measured as a monotonic decrease in cell volume which in turn affects cognitive and physical body functions. Apart from tracking subtle changes, the results may also explain alcohol causing erythrocyte's lack of oxygen-carrying capability, blurred vision and altered mental states. Moreover, volume changes of RBCs can be applied in the detection and mechanistic study of diseases such as sickle cell anaemia and malaria. RRI scientists believe, that cell volume changes are an important biomarker for multiple diseases, including blood-related ones.