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Cuban engineer Melanys Benítez Pérez, originally from Havana and now residing in Spain, developed a low-cost optical sensor capable of detecting diseases and analyzing food.
According to reported by the Public University of Navarra (UPNA), where she defended her doctoral thesis, the device, designed on a flat surface and equipped with gold nanoparticles, allows for the detection of key biomarkers in small samples of blood, saliva, or food.
Among the substances that can be identified are proteins associated with cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and celiac disease, as well as elements used in immunological tests.
It can also recognize gliadin, a component of gluten, which paves the way for its use in food quality control.
Unlike traditional sensors, which are more expensive and fragile due to being based on cylindrical optical fibers, the sensor created by the Cuban is more robust, cost-effective, and easier to integrate into clinical or industrial environments.
The technology is based on a physical phenomenon known as loss mode resonance (LMR), which analyzes how light changes as it passes through a liquid sample, revealing microscopic alterations that indicate the presence of specific compounds, highlighted the website of the institution.
The project was led by researchers Ignacio R. Matías Maestro and Abián Bentor Socorro Leránoz from the Smart Cities Institute (ISC) of UPNA, and is the result of years of work within the Sensors research group.
The young Cuban, at just 31 years old, started her career at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana, specializing in medical imaging.
He later moved to Spain, where he pursued a master's degree in Biomedical Engineering and a doctorate in Communication Technology, Bioengineering, and Renewable Energies.
During their training, they participated in international conferences, published scientific articles, and completed a research stay in the Netherlands.
The Cuban researcher now hopes that this technological platform can be implemented in the future in accessible diagnostic systems for medical centers, laboratories, and food companies, providing a precise, rapid, and adaptable tool for multiple needs.
Benítez's story joins that of other young Cuban women who have made history in the world of science.
Sabrina González Pasterski, a Cuban-American theoretical physicist born in Chicago in 1993 and regarded by Harvard University as “the next Albert Einstein”, not only excels in her field but also works to promote the involvement of women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
The platform Alas Tensas, on Facebook, published in 2024 a brief review of the predoctoral candidate from Chicago, Illinois, for being a scientist of Cuban origin and an advocate for women and girls in science and technology.
Beyond her career, González uses her platform to give visibility to women in science, promoting initiatives like "Let Girls Learn," which aims to encourage girls around the world to pursue STEM studies, noted Alas Tensas.
Additionally, she mentioned that she has participated in high-level events, such as her invitation to the White House to discuss the importance of breaking gender barriers in scientific education.
The platform indicated that González has proudly identified as a first-generation Cuban-American, and she stands out as one of the most prominent figures in modern physics and an unyielding advocate for equity in access to science.
Frequently Asked Questions about the optical sensor developed by Melanys Benítez Pérez
What is the optical sensor developed by Melanys Benítez Pérez?
The optical sensor developed by Melanys Benítez Pérez is a low-cost device that can detect diseases and analyze food. It uses gold nanoparticles and is based on loss mode resonance (LMR) to identify biomarkers in small samples such as blood or saliva.
What are the advantages of the optical sensor developed by the Cuban engineer?
The sensor is more durable, cost-effective, and easier to integrate into clinical and industrial environments compared to traditional cylindrical fiber optic sensors. Its flat design with gold nanoparticles makes it more accessible and adaptable for various applications, such as the detection of cardiovascular diseases and food quality control.
What diseases can the sensor developed by Melanys Benítez Pérez detect?
The sensor can identify proteins associated with cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and celiac disease, as well as elements used in immunological tests. It can also detect gliadin, a component of gluten, which is useful for food quality control.
What is the potential impact of Melanys Benítez Pérez's work on science and technology?
The sensor developed by Melanys Benítez Pérez provides a precise, fast, and adaptable tool that could be implemented in diagnostic systems accessible to medical centers, laboratories, and food companies. Her work adds to that of other prominent Cuban female scientists, promoting the participation of women in STEM.
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