Sky News: Could interstitial fluid replace blood?
UC graduate discusses new frontier of health monitoring
Sky News highlighted University of Cincinnati research into the next frontier of continuous health monitoring.
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Mark Friedel developed a prototype sensor that monitors chemicals found in the interstitial fluid just under your skin. The sensor uses tiny microneedles that pick up information about your health that can be tracked over time.
UC biomedical engineering graduate Mark Friedel and his research collaborators developed wearable technology in UC professor Jason Heikenfeld's Novel Devices Lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
He co-authored a study looking at the potential for interstitial fluid in continuous health monitoring that was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
Interstitial fluid contains many of the same chemicals and biomarkers that doctors use in blood to diagnose disease or track health and wellness, Friedel told Local 12.
Friedel developed the sensor in UC professor Jason Heikenfeld's Novel Devices Lab.
“Why we see it as a valuable diagnostic fluid is continuous access. With blood, you can’t easily take continuous readings,” Friedel said.
Featured image at top: UC's Mantei Center is a cornerstone of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
More UC biomedical engineering in the news
University of Cincinnati biomedical engineers say sensors that monitor interstitial fluid could be the next frontier for wearable technology. Photo/Mark Friedel
- National Science Foundation: Getting under your skin for better health
- Technology Networks: Advantages and challenges of using interstitial fluid in diagnostics
- Laboratory Equipment: Interstitial fluid could better monitor health
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science professor Jason Heikenfeld and his students develop wearable technology in his Novel Devices Lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Related Stories
Computer science student's color blindness inspires outfit matching app
May 14, 2026
Eric Langhorne, a computer science undergraduate student at the University of Cincinnati, has developed a smartphone application that tells users whether or not their clothes are a match. Langhorne has color blindness, so this is a question he often asks himself and was a challenge he wanted to address. This project was done through the Experiential Explorations Program (EEP).
Will a gas tax help lower prices at the pump?
May 14, 2026
WCPO recently reported on Kentucky and Indiana’s steps to combat surging gas prices, cutting and suspending state gas taxes, respectively. UC economist Michael Jones explained the impact on Cincinnati.
Is a colonoscopy painful?
May 13, 2026
The University of Cincinnati's Susan Kais, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the College of Medicine and UC Health gastroenterologist, recently appeared on the ARC Cincinnati morning program on Local 12/WKRC-TV to answer common questions from viewers about colonoscopies and to dispel myths.