Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Recently, scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology said that fluorescent carbon nanomaterial-based immunosensor from natural sources can help in the detection of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

About Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor –

• It is a factor that promotes angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels, which involves migration, growth, and differentiation of endothelial cells that line the inside wall of blood vessels.
• It is unregulated in many tumours and hence gives indications of the probability of cancers.
• Scientists fabricated an immuno-sensor based on the fluorescence phenomenon of biogenic carbon quantum dots, a new class of carbon nanomaterials, for the detection of the biomarker Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).
• The sandwiched immun-osensor was fabricated using a fluorescent nanomaterial (Carbon quantum dots) synthesised from a natural source, employing a green microwave-assisted method.
• This was followed by conjugating with a detection antibody, human immunoglobulin G (IgG).

What is Endothelium?

• The endothelium is a monolayer of endothelial cells and constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system.
• The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone.
• It is a major factor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolising and endocrine organ.