Glasgow Students Win Innovation Award for Parkinson's Medication Monitoring Concept
A University of Glasgow student team has won the SensUs 2026 Innovation Award for their wearable biosensor concept designed to monitor levodopa, a key medication for Parkinson's disease.
A multidisciplinary student team from the University of Glasgow has secured the Innovation Award at the SensUs 2026 healthcare design competition for their GLAsense concept. The wearable mechanical biosensor is designed to continuously monitor levodopa levels in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
The 10-member GLAsense team competed against 16 other university teams from around the world in Eindhoven during August 2026. Their system utilizes a specially engineered hydrogel that recognizes levodopa and converts its presence into a measurable pressure signal, differentiating it from conventional biosensing technologies.
The concept's technical innovation and extensive experimental analysis were highlighted by the judges. The students validated their approach through rigorous testing of selectivity, reversibility, and performance across various levodopa concentrations. They also collaborated closely with Glasgow’s Young Onset Parkinson’s Group to ensure the device addresses genuine patient needs.
The GLAsense design incorporates replaceable components intended to support affordable long-term use. Following the competition, the team plans to continue developing the technology and explore broader applications for their mechanical sensing concept.