Researchers have created a nanoparticle-based assay for hepcidin, a peptide found in blood and urine that can be used to diagnose iron-related disorders.
Hepcidin is a short protein that regulates iron levels in humans, and plays an important role in anaemia, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. It can be detected in blood and urine, but conventional tests are not sensitive enough for diagnosis.
Further details: New assay for hepcidin developed