Researchers at the Purdue University have designed a technology for incorporating carbon nanotubes and synthetic DNA onto a biosensor electrode, paving the way to accurately analyze diabetes and other diseases.
Marshall Porterfield
Existing sensors use enzyme-coated metal electrodes, which react with substances to generate an electrical signal that can be used for measurement. However, these sensors measure incorrectly due to their inefficiency. Carbon nanotubes, which have superior electrical and thermal properties, are capable of enhancing the performance of sensors. However, their partial compatibility with water restricts their use in biological fluids.
Professors at the Purdue University, Jong Hyun Choi and Marshall Porterfield have developed a sensor that is capable of self-assembly. They have reported their results in The Analyst journal. Choi created an artificial DNA that can bind to the carbon nanotube surface in order to increase its water solubility.
Choi stated that after the preparation of a solution containing carbon nanotubes, the electrode is then placed into the solution to get charged, resulting in the coating of the electrode surface with the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube-coated electrode is now capable of attracting the enzymes to complete the assembly of the sensor. This sensor was developed for glucose detection. However, Porterfield commented that the sensor can be customized for many other compounds. This sensor can be mass produced for diabetic patients, he said. Their technology is a self-building platform to create biomolecular-level biosensors, he added.
Porterfield further said by employing this technology, it is possible to develop advanced sensors that can perform a real-time test to detect the efficiency of drugs. He will continue his research for biosensor development for detecting various compounds, he added.