The human body is a vast network of biochemical signaling pathways dictating physiological and pathological processes. To probe this network, we have pioneered a novel technique called Corona Phase Molecular Recognition, or CoPhMoRe, for discovering synthetic, heteropolymer corona phases that form molecular recognition sites at the nanoparticle interface. By screening libraries of synthetic heteropolymers chemically adsorbed onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), we have engineered new optical biosensors that exhibit high selective recognition for bio molecules, such as riboflavin, L-thyroxine, dopamine, nitric oxide, sugar alcohols, estradiol, and fibrinogen. These results have significant potential for using SWNT-based sensors to interface to biological systems, allowing monitoring pathways at the sub-cellular, cellular, tissue, and whole-animal scale. With deep tissue penetration, we demonstrated our nanosensors in vitrowith no photobleaching, and in vivo with no fluorescence degradation (400+ days). Engineering the nanoparticle corona in this way offers significant potential to translate sensor technology to previously inaccessible environments. We recently demonstrated real-time label-free detection of individual proteins from Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris immobilized in a microfluidic chamber, by non-covalent conjugation of an aptamer-anchor polynucleotide sequence to SWNTs. We further demonstrated protein detection from T7 bacteriophage infection of E. coli, illustrating real-time single-cell analysis of proteins from cells. Werecently demonstrated the use of a SWNTarray for the detection of dopamine release from PC12 neuroprogenitor cells at a resolution exceeding 20,000 sensors per cell. These nanosensor arrays allowthe high-resolution spatiotemporal dynamics of dopamine release, following K+ stimulation. The results illustrate how directionality of chemical signaling is shaped by the cell membrane morphology. For diabetes, we have recently synthesized an insulin sensor sensitive down to 20 μg/mL. The sensor was tested against and proved to be nonresponsive against a panel of human blood proteins and 7 short amino acid fragments of the insulin peptide. The insulin recognition and the concentration quantification were demonstrated in buffer and in blood serum. Interfacing insulin sensors with continuous glucose monitors may revolutionize diabetes management and control using a tightly controlled close-looped system.

Applications of nanosensors to understanding biochemical signaling within the human body

256th National Meeting (2018)

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