3 minute read
The tear doctor: when tear meets insight
A single tear can reveal more than just emotions - it can hold the key to diagnosing diseases. Dr. Marlies Gijs, a biochemist at Maastricht UMC+ and known as ‘the tear doctor,’ is uncovering the hidden potential of tears as a diagnostic tool. Her world-first research focuses on using tear fluid to detect diseases like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, offering a new, non-invasive alternative to procedures like spinal taps.
A new approach to diagnosing disease
By analyzing the biochemical makeup of a single drop of tear fluid, Dr. Gijs and her team can identify markers that indicate the presence of diseases, a breakthrough with far-reaching implications for both neurology and ophthalmology.
The idea of using tears as a diagnostic tool began as a curiosity. Gijs, who has a background in biochemistry, was originally researching drug delivery for the eyes when she saw the potential of tears. Advances in technology allowed her to analyze hundreds of compounds in a drop of tear fluid, opening the door to new ways of detecting diseases early, without the need for painful or invasive procedures relying on blood or spinal fluid.
Tears as a source of medical insight
Tears, which have long been associated with emotions, are now emerging as a valuable source of medical insight. Gijs's team has identified two biomarkers, amyloid and tau, in tear fluid - proteins that are usually found only in spinal fluid and are key indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery has the potential to change how we diagnose neurological conditions, making early detection easier and less invasive.
A worldwide applicable test kit
The research team at Maastricht UMC+ is also exploring new applications, including the detection of viral infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they discovered that the virus could be detected in tears, highlighting the versatility of this diagnostic approach. Looking ahead, the team envisions a future where diagnostic strips, similar to pregnancy tests, could be used to analyze tear fluid for a variety of health conditions, making medical (home) testing faster, simpler, and more accessible.
The research of Dr. Gijs is part of the Tear Research Network, a collaborative effort bringing together scientists from around the world to push the boundaries of what we can learn from tear fluid. What started as an exploration into eye health is now becoming a powerful tool for understanding and diagnosing diseases, all through something as simple as a tear - and for that reason, applicable to people worldwide.
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