Nutromics Appoints Professor Kevin Plaxco as Chief Scientific Officer
News related to:Nutromics · 2 min read
MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 7, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Nutromics, a Melbourne-based startup at the forefront of DNA-based sensing technology, has announced the appointment of Professor Kevin W. Plaxco as its Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). This move comes as the company prepares to launch its first product in 2027 and expand its wearable platform to include a wider range of applications.
Professor Plaxco, who has a long history with Nutromics, will now lead the strategic expansion of the company's DNA-based sensing platform. He invented the core technology used by Nutromics and has been a key advisor to the company since its early days. Plaxco's guidance has been instrumental in several major milestones, including a world-first published clinical trial in Nature Biotechnology that demonstrated the technology in humans.
"We are thrilled to have Kevin join our team as Chief Scientific Officer," said Peter Vranes, CEO and co-founder of Nutromics. "The field of Electrochemical Aptamer-Based (EAB) sensing, or DNA-based sensing as we refer to it, is largely due to Kevin's groundbreaking research. His hands-on guidance will be crucial as we extend our platform beyond its current focus and into new areas such as drugs and biomarkers."
Professor Plaxco has a distinguished career in molecular biophysics and biomolecule-based technologies. He has co-authored nearly 300 papers and holds over a dozen patents. His contributions have earned him membership in prestigious organizations such as the National Academy of Inventors, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Society for Electrochemistry, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
"I am excited to be joining Nutromics," Professor Plaxco stated. "When you start your career as a researcher, you hope to make a discovery or invention that impacts the field and humanity. I believe that EAB sensors do both. Nutromics has done an exceptional job of translating my academic research into a technology ready for real-world use, and I look forward to working with the team to broaden the applications of our technology."
In addition to his new role at Nutromics, Professor Plaxco has also commenced his duties as a Distinguished Professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. He remains on leave from his position as Distinguished Professor at UC Santa Barbara.
Nutromics is an Australian-founded advanced monitoring company that has developed a wearable, DNA-based platform for continuous molecular monitoring. Its electrochemical aptamer-based sensors, integrated with minimally invasive microneedles, are designed to sense multiple proteins, drugs, metabolites, and hormones in real-time. The company is advancing towards regulatory clearance and commercial launch of its first product, which is currently in development and has not yet been approved by the FDA or any regulatory body.
The appointment of Professor Plaxco as Chief Scientific Officer is a significant step for Nutromics as it continues to develop and expand its technology. With his expertise and guidance, the company aims to make its DNA-based sensing technology ubiquitous in both hospital and home settings.