#Australia #Melbourne #Nutromics #Kevin Plaxco #DNA Sensing

Nutromics Welcomes Professor Kevin Plaxco as Chief Scientific Officer

Nutromics, an innovative startup based in Melbourne, Australia, is making headlines with the recent appointment of Professor Kevin W. Plaxco as its Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). This move comes as the company gears up for the anticipated release of its first product in 2027, leveraging its cutting-edge DNA-based sensing technology to expand its wearable platform capabilities.

Professor Plaxco brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Nutromics, having invented the very DNA-based sensing technology the company is built upon. His journey with Nutromics began when he collaborated with co-founders Peter Vranes and Hitesh Mehta, who licensed Plaxco’s technology. Since then, he has played an instrumental role as an advisor, leading the company’s Biosensor Advisory Board and contributing to key milestones, including the landmark clinical trial published in Nature Biotechnology, which was the first to demonstrate the efficacy of the technology in human subjects.

In a statement, Nutromics’ CEO Peter Vranes expressed great enthusiasm about Plaxco’s appointment, highlighting his groundbreaking contributions to the field of Electrochemical Aptamer-Based (EAB) sensing. “Kevin’s research has been a catalyst for advancements in continuous molecular monitoring, transforming concepts that once felt like science fiction into tangible reality,” Vranes noted. “His active involvement will expedite the development of our platform, enabling us to explore applications beyond antibiotics like vancomycin and expand to other biomarkers such as creatinine and lactate.”

Professor Plaxco’s impressive portfolio includes co-authoring nearly 300 scientific papers and holding a dozen patents pertaining to molecular biophysics and technologies based on biomolecules. His significant contributions have granted him membership in the National Academy of Inventors, as well as fellowship in distinguished organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the International Society for Electrochemistry.

In reflecting on his decision to join Nutromics, Plaxco shared, “As a researcher, I have always aspired to make discoveries that resonate within the scientific community and truly benefit humanity. I believe that EAB sensors fulfill both objectives, and I see Nutromics playing a crucial role in this advancement. The team has remarkably transformed my academic research into a practical and impactful technology.” He is eager to dive into his role at Nutromics, where he will be focusing on broadening the potential applications of their joint technology, with hopes of making it a common presence in both hospital and home settings.

In addition to his responsibilities at Nutromics, Professor Plaxco has also accepted a position as a Distinguished Professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. He remains on leave from his role at UC Santa Barbara while continuing to serve on the advisory boards of several scientific entities.

As Professor Plaxco takes the helm, he succeeds Scientia Professor Justin Gooding as CSO, although Gooding will continue to lend his expertise as a member of Nutromics’ Biosensor Advisory Board.

About Nutromics

Nutromics is redefining the monitoring landscape with its wearable DNA-based platform that enables continuous molecular tracking. The company specializes in electrochemical aptamer-based sensors equipped with minimally invasive microneedles to gather real-time data on proteins, drugs, metabolites, and hormones. With operations in both Australia and the United States, Nutromics is on the verge of achieving regulatory clearance and launching its inaugural product. The vision of Nutromics is clear: to eradicate preventable deaths rooted in the absence of continuous molecular monitoring.