(712a) Invited Speaker: Real Time, Label Free Biosensing in-Vivo Using Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Other Carbon Nanomaterials

The human body is a vast network of biochemical signaling pathways dictating physiological and pathological processes. Our group is interested in developing nanometer-scale sensor technology that can probe this network for biomedical applications. We have previously introduced CoPhMoRe or corona phase molecular recognition as a method of engineering synthetic molecular recognition sites from a heteropolymer library. This technique has significant potential for using SWNT-based sensors to interface with biological systems, allowing monitoring pathways at the sub-cellular, cellular, tissue, and whole-animal scale. For this presentation, I will discuss several important points relating to nanoparticle characterization and the ability to generate effective sensors in-vivo. Techniques that can quantify the particle size distribution of nanoparticles rapidly and accurately will be shown as critical to optimizing signal and sensor response. For DNA-wrapped carbon nanotubes as a model nanoparticle sensor, we highlight phase transitions in the corona phase on the nanotube surface that are ionic strength driven. The ability for corona phase to exhibit such phase transitions at the nanotube surface has important implications and opportunities for sensors and molecular recognition. My talk will also cover our efforts at MIT to enable in-vivo sensors for biomedical applications. Animal experiments for rodent and marine animal model will be described with technological hurdles highlighted for realizing the real time, label free detection of analytes in-vivo using nanosensor technologies. Lastly, we will also highlight our efforts to create autonomous state machines for medical applications, including conceptual and modeling efforts, as well as prototype colloidal nanoparticles that can autonomously sense, electronically store and report information, bringing sensors and nanoelectronics to remote locations, including the human digestive tract and ultimately the circulator system.