Overview

• The device captures HMGB1 in menstrual blood with five times the sensitivity of conventional lab assays using a pregnancy-test–style borophene strip.
• Researchers replaced toxic solvents with water in a novel process to produce biocompatible borophene nanosheets that hold antibodies for precise HMGB1 detection.
• Clinical studies link elevated HMGB1 levels in menstrual effluent to endometriosis, offering a noninvasive route for early diagnosis.
• Penn State scientists are scaling up the proof-of-concept for clinical trials and refining its sensitivity for broader patient use.
• Future developments aim to integrate the test into menstrual pads for discreet home monitoring and extend the platform to biomarkers such as HPV and cervical cancer.