Scientists from the Institute of Clinical Medicine at NV Sklifosovsky Sechenov University have announced the development of a microchip designed to test sensitivity to more than 120 allergens. The breakthrough was shared with socialbites.ca by the university’s press service, highlighting a step forward in the way allergies are diagnosed and managed. The team explains that this chip-based approach can screen a wide range of allergy sources with minimal patient effort, offering a streamlined path to precise results that guide subsequent care decisions.
Immunologists describe a serological test capable of identifying individual hypersensitivity across a broad panel of more than 120 allergens. The allergy chip contains antigens drawn from food, pollen, skin, house dust, animals, molds, and insects, allowing for a comprehensive assessment from a single sample. Allergochip is designed to minimize direct contact with allergens during testing, enhancing safety for patients. While similar technology exists globally, this particular effort aims to adapt and apply it to Russian allergen profiles to improve local relevance and accuracy.
The researchers emphasize that Allergochip can pinpoint the specific allergy trigger with a single drop of blood serum. Microchip-based evaluation of hypersensitivity enables a personalized approach to diagnosing and treating allergies, a development that could reshape clinical practice. A noted expert, Professor Alexander Karaulov, reflects that such tools may pave the way for individualized prevention strategies in the future, moving beyond generic management toward targeted interventions based on a patient’s unique allergen map.
Over the next four years, the team plans to construct a nationwide map detailing patients’ allergen sensitivities across Russia. This initiative will be complemented by the creation of a biobank containing diverse blood serum samples, establishing a valuable resource for ongoing research and validation of diagnostic approaches. The goal is to enable researchers and clinicians to compare data across regions, refine testing panels, and accelerate the development of personalized allergy care informed by real-world evidence.
Earlier achievements from the same institute include progress toward a recombinant feline allergy vaccine, a development that has reached the stage of clinical trials. This milestone illustrates the broader commitment of the research program to translating immunological insights into practical therapies for both humans and animals, underscoring the university’s role in advancing allergy science on multiple fronts.