Early Sepsis Detection: A Global Challenge
Sepsis affects over 50 million people annually, with a staggering 11 million deaths each year (Cohen et. al., Nature, 2002). In emergency departments, early diagnosis is critical—but current biomarkers like cytokines and CRP often rise too late, after damage is already underway.
Free Radicals: A Powerful Early Biomarker
Free radicals—highly reactive molecules produced early in the immune response—represent a promising early biomarker for sepsis. Their generation precedes fever, cytokine release, and organ dysfunction, offering a crucial window for early intervention. Until recently, detecting them in clinical settings has been nearly impossible due to their short lifespan and low concentrations. The advantages of tracking free radical kinetics extend beyond sepsis, with potential applications in cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, oncology, and more.
Quantum Nuova: Advancing Free Radical Kinetics Biomarker
QT Sense’s Quantum Nuova is the first benchtop platform to localize, quantify, and identify free radicals using fluorescent nanodiamond quantum sensing. It enables non-invasive, real-time blood analysis with unmatched sensitivity—ideal for tracking free radical kinetics as a diagnostic signal. Learn more about the technology here.
UMCG Leads the Way with Dr. Hjalmar Bouma
For sepsis research led by Dr. Hjalmar Bouma, the Emergency Department at University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) has acquired Quantum Nuova to explore free radical kinetics as a novel biomarker. The device will be installed in September 2025 for research use only, with testing on blood samples from ED patients.
A Quantum Leap for Early Diagnostics of Infectious Diseases (e.g. Sepsis)
This collaboration between QT Sense and UMCG aims to define a faster, earlier, and more reliable approach to sepsis diagnostics. By unlocking the diagnostic power of quantum sensing, Quantum Nuova sets a new standard in clinical biomarker discovery.
For more information, please contact us at info@qtsense.com
