Breakthrough at IIT-BHU to help in prevention of blood clotting, thrombosis
Varanasi: A research team from Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) developed a novel material—Potassium Ferric Oxalate Nanoparticle (KFeOx-NPs)—that prevents blood coagulation and thrombosis without altering structure or properties of the blood. It aims to combat blood clot-related disorders such as strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis, the leading causes of mortality worldwide.Addressing significant health challenges, a research team from IIT(BHU), led by Dr Sudip Mukherjee of the School of Biomedical Engineering, developed a novel material that effectively prevents blood coagulation and thrombosis without altering structure or properties of blood. Dr Mukherjee said blood clot-related disorders such as strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis often arise from formation of dangerous blood clots that block veins or arteries, posing serious health threats.In India, incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is estimated at 1–2 per 1,000 people annually, with even higher rates reported for pulmonary embolism (39–115 per 100,000) and deep vein thrombosis (53–162 per 100,000).Conventional anticoagulants like warfarin and heparin, while commonly used to treat or prevent clot formation, are often associated with side effects such as excessive bleeding, reduced bone density and potential birth defects. Similarly, in pathological settings, chemical anticoagulants like EDTA and sodium citrate used in blood collection tubes can lead to structural changes in blood cells over time, affecting diagnostic accuracy. The newly developed KFeOx-NPs offers a promising alternative. When tested on human blood samples, the material was successful in preventing clotting for up to 48 hours without affecting shape, size, or integrity of blood cells. The stability makes it highly suitable for clinical blood collection and storage. Furthermore, its efficacy was validated in a mouse model for thrombosis, where nanoparticles demonstrated ability to prevent clot formation in vivo.The research findings were published in the reputed international journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (ACS AMI), underscoring the scientific merit and global relevance of the work. A patent was also filed for the novel nanomaterial to protect the intellectual property and pave the way for future clinical translation."This innovative nanomaterial offers a safer and more effective approach to manage and prevent clot-related diseases. It also addresses limitations of current anticoagulants used in diagnostics," said Dr Mukherjee.
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