INTERVIEW
{ TATTOO BIOMARKERS {
Ali Yetisen
A team at Technical University Munich has come up with technology that can turn tattoos into biomarkers. Lead researcher Ali Yetisen explains his vision of making human skin a diagnostic display…
W
ith everyone now
interstitial fluid, which is a surrogate
familiar with
medium for blood. To date, it works
wearables, researchers
with three elements found in the
at Technical University
blood: pH levels, glucose and albumin,
Munich (TUM), headed
a type of protein. This means the
by Ali Yetisen, set up
tattoo could alert a diabetic patient if
a project to envision how they may look in 20 or 30 years time. The
“If the glucose levels are high, the
10-strong team has taken wearables
tattoo turns green, and if they are
to the next level, by using the skin as
too low it becomes yellow,” explains
a diagnostic display to show real time
Yetisen. “This could be an effective
changes in the body’s constitution.
way of keeping track of health for
The tattoo uses a dye which changes Ali Yetisen is lead researcher
they were having a blood sugar spike.
colour according to changes in the
people with specific health concerns.” The next phase of research will look at electrolytes to show hydration and dehydration levels; this could
The tattoos use a dye that changes colour according to changes in levels of three elements found in the blood
be applied in the health and fitness industry, particularly for those taking part in endurance sports. “Minerals such as sodium, potassium and magnesium are
pH
critical in monitoring the body’s hydration status and this could provide a real time measurement,” says Yetisen. “We could also look at lactate and glucose levels and the
Glucose
impact of fructose and caffeine. “The third phase of our research will look at hormone levels – testosterone, adrenalin, cortisol, all of the stress biomarkers, which can identify fatigue
Albumin
and exhaustion. The opportunities are endless, it is a new concept which no one has really explored.”
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fittechglobal.com 1 2020