A study has successfully translated high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based lipoprotein analysis to benchtop NMR systems, making cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment more accessible. The research, published in Analytical Chemistry, was led by an international team from the Australian National Phenome Centre (ANPC) at Murdoch University, CIC bioGUNE, Monash University, and Bruker Biospin GmbH.
Lipoproteins play a critical role in cardiovascular health, with their composition and concentration linked to CVD risk. They are also associated with conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Current clinical methods for lipoprotein profiling focus on a limited set of blood markers, primarily targeting cardiovascular diseases. High-field NMR techniques provide a more detailed profile but require expensive facilities, limiting their use in clinical environments.
The research team developed a calibration model for benchtop NMR spectrometers (80 MHz) to quantify 25 lipoprotein markers, including total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, ApoA1, and ApoB100, in under 15 minutes per sample. These markers are essential for assessing cardiometabolic risk and monitoring inflammatory conditions.
ANPC Director and co-study lead Professor Jeremy Nicholson said the study demonstrated reproducibility across three independent laboratories, validating the robustness of the proposed technology.
“The ANPC is focussed on biomedical discovery and effective clinical translation. Currently most CVD risk markers are only measured on high-risk patients, and it would be much better to detect these markers earlier to enable corrective action,” Professor Nicholson said.
“This new approach will also allow us to study the general population at scale for the first time.”
Lead researcher Professor Julien Wist said the findings demonstrated progress towards integrating advanced molecular diagnostics into routine healthcare.
“Our approach demonstrates that sophisticated lipoprotein analysis can be performed reliably outside of specialised research environments,” he said.
Dr Philipp Nitschke, a contributing researcher to the study, said: “By eliminating the barriers associated with high-field NMR, we are enabling broader access to detailed lipid profiling, which could significantly improve early detection and management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.”
Benchtop NMR technology has the potential to transform CVD screening, particularly in resource-limited settings or geographically vast regions where centralised testing facilities are distant. The technology’s applications extend beyond CVD risk assessment to diabetes management, chronic inflammatory disease monitoring, and infectious disease diagnostics.
“The ability to perform precise lipoprotein analysis at point-of-care would have a major impact on public health,” Professor Nicholson said.
“This is not just about improving individual diagnostics; it’s about enabling population-scale disease prevention and personalised medicine.”
Dr Falko Busse, Group President Bruker BioSpin, said establishing benchtop NMR as a quantitative method in translational clinical research expanded the scope of addressable research targets.
“Lipoprotein benchtop NMR analysis marks an important step in advancing cardiovascular disease research, and we are optimistic that this will pave the way for breakthroughs in other disease areas,” he said.
“The successful translation of models from high-field to benchtop NMR demonstrates its feasibility, and we anticipate further advancements through the integration of AI-driven analytical approaches. Bruker is committed to continuing this impactful collaboration with ANPC, expanding the possibilities of benchtop clinical translational research.”
Colin La Galia, Chair of The Hospital Research Foundation Group, which co-funded the research, said the technology could significantly impact community health.
“This has the potential to be one of the most important contributions to population health and preventative medicine ever seen,” Mr La Galia said. “Having this technology more accessible and affordable will change the way we manage heart disease and other chronic conditions, ultimately saving lives.”
The researchers plan to refine the benchtop NMR model for broader clinical applications. Ongoing work will explore its use in tracking disease progression and response to treatment using micro-sampling strategies.
The model is currently for research use only, with further funding required for accreditation. The study was supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Western Australian Department of Health.
