Biocatalytic Hubs: Enabling Rapid and Accurate Precision Management of Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Tiago Cordeiro.

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal.

Phenylketonuria is a rare genetic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine. High levels of this amino acid can cause severe neurological damage and cognitive impairment. Managing this condition requires frequent monitoring, but current laboratory tests are slow, which can delay treatment adjustments and may result in irreversible damage. This project aims to develop a portable, enzyme-based biosensor for monitoring phenylalanine directly at home.

The BIOHUBs biosensor uses liquid-liquid phase separation to create specially engineered enzyme condensates that cluster into microscopic liquid droplets. These droplets convert phenylalanine from a small blood sample into detectable gases, whose levels are measured in two independent ways to improve reliability.

The planned prototype could reduce monitoring time by more than 1,000-fold compared with current methods. Faster feedback may enable more personalised treatment strategies for phenylketonuria, improving patient autonomy and long-term neurological outcomes. The technology may also have broader applications in monitoring metabolic disorders and designing therapeutic enzymes.

• Paula Leandro, FARM-ID - Associação da Faculdade de Farmácia para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento, Portugal.

STAGE 1