Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University researchers created a nanoparticle capable of detecting and imaging trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide in animals. The scientists said such non-toxic nanoparticles might be used as a simple, all-purpose diagnostic tool to detect the earliest stages of any chronic inflammatory disease, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis.

Hydrogen peroxide is thought to be over-produced by cells during the early stages of most diseases. But since there have been no imaging techniques available to capture that process in the body, details of how hydrogen peroxide is produced and its role in a developing disease must still be determined.

"These nanoparticles are incredibly sensitive so you can detect nanomolar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide," said Niren Murthy of Georgia Tech. "That’s important because researchers aren’t yet certain what amounts of hydrogen peroxide are present in various diseases."

The research led by Murthy and Robert Taylor at Emory University will appear in journal Nature Materials.