(4s) In Vivo In Vitro and In Situ Nanosensor Applications

Recent years have shown the incredible versatility and utility of polymeric nanosensors.  Sensors have been developed for a wide variety of ionic analytes (e.g. sodium, potassium, pH) as well as nonionic analytics (e.g. glucose) and have been applied for challenging research fields such as detection of sodium sparks in live cardiomyocytes.  This field of research has yielded new knowledge on cellular metabolism and function.  Additionally, these sensors can be applied in vivo, through implantation in or under the skin in animals; showing potential as a research tool for continuous monitoring of analyte concentrations without the need for direct samples to be taken from the animal.   

To date the choice of recognition element has limited the range of targets which can be measured with these polymeric nanosensors.  This stems from the need for small molecule recognition elements (e.g. ionophores) which can be incorporated into the polymer matrix.  Through the combination of these nanosensors with enzymatic recognition elements we can now detect a far wider variety of biologically relevant targets through detection of metabolic byproducts of enzymatic reactions.  This poster will discuss continuous monitoring of several analytical targets using these nanosensor approaches.  These include lithium monitoring for bipolar disorder treatment as well as histamine concentrations in small animals as a proof of concept for eventual monitoring of a suite of physiological parameters.  This will also form the foundation of my research program which will focus on the development of novel biomedical diagnostic approaches for in vivo and in vitro monitoring, and will also leverage the advances made in biomedical research applications toward improved process monitoring and analytics. 

Postdoctoral Research Advisor

Heather A. Clark, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston MA

Graduate Research Advisor

Kevin W. Plaxco, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara

Funding

KJC: NIH/NIBIB F32 EB015270-01

HAC: DARPA, NIH/NIGMS R01 GM084366, NIH/NINDS1R01NS081641