ZP, a contract developer and manufacturer of electrochemical biosensors for point-of-care diagnostics, offers the SIA platform to efficiently guide businesses and developers from concept to product realization. This page focuses on our role in measuring Vitamin B9 and B12 using our SenseItAll (SIA) platform. To find out how SIA can be used in your clinical offering please attend our next webinar.
Vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid, and vitamin B12 are important for various functions in the body:
Cell Division and DNA Synthesis:
Vitamin B9 (Folate): It is crucial for cell division and the synthesis of DNA. Adequate folate levels are particularly important during periods of rapid cell division, such as during pregnancy and infancy.
Vitamin B12: Along with folate, vitamin B12 is essential for the synthesis of DNA and the normal functioning of cells, including the production of red blood cells in bone marrow.
Red Blood Cell Formation:
Vitamin B9 (Folate): Folate plays a key role in the production of red blood cells. A deficiency in folate can lead to megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are larger than normal.
Vitamin B12: Essential for the formation of red blood cells, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can also result in megaloblastic anemia.
Neurological Function:
Vitamin B9 (Folate): Folate is important for normal neurological function. Deficiencies in folate have been linked to neurological disorders and cognitive decline.
Vitamin B12: It is crucial for the maintenance of the nervous system. Deficiencies in vitamin B12 can lead to neurological problems, including tingling in the hands and feet and problems with memory and concentration.
Methylation Processes:
Vitamin B9 (Folate) and B12: Both vitamins are involved in methylation processes, which are essential for a variety of bodily functions, including the regulation of gene expression and the breakdown of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to cardiovascular disease.
During Pregnancy:
Vitamin B9 (Folate): Adequate folate is critical during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
Vitamin B12: Important for the development of the nervous system in the fetus.
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