Connected devices that monitor human biology in real-time represent the next frontier in biosensors. Monitoring hormones is of significant interest as hormones play critical roles in multiple physiological processes including stress adaptation, blood pressure control, reproductive rhythms, and body odor. However, the real-time monitoring of hormones is challenging from a biology, chemistry, and engineering perspective. We are designing and developing a novel sensor for progesterone. Our approach combines microbial genomics and protein engineering, new polymer and nanoparticles compositions, and sensor design. The biosensor is composed of Quantum Dots (QDs) decorated with a hormone-sensitive transcription factor (TF) and a fluorescently-labelled DNA. Without the hormone, the DNA binds the TF and a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal is emitted between the QDs and the fluorescent DNA, while in the presence of progesterone, the DNA and TF separates and only one fluorescent signal from the QDs is emitted. Using such a simple but versatile system, nanomolar levels of progesterone are detected in solution.

Fluorescent nanoparticle sensor for hormones based on a native microbial transcription factor

256th National Meeting (2018)

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