We describe a new approach to sensing and measuring enzyme activity based on the responsive reconfiguration of complex emulsions. Recently, we reported a method to create complex emulsions in which the droplet morphology is very sensitive to changes in interfacial tension which can be tied to stimuli of interest. We sensitize these droplets to enzymes via the use of enzyme-cleavable surfactants and enzyme-mediated disruption of host-guest interactions. The droplets act as lenses, and so the shape of the droplet affects its transparency; by tracking changes in the optical transmission of droplet films, we demonstrate how simple photodetector measurements may be used to monitor enzyme kinetics. This approach is validated by quantitative measurements of enzyme activity for three different classes of enzymes: amylase, lipase, and sulfatase. We anticipate this materials platform may therefore be useful for low-cost, point of care diagnostics, and the approach to droplet sensitization is highly generalizable and applicable to many other bio-sensing schemes.

Optical visualization and quantification of enzyme activity using dynamic droplet lenses

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.