CPOS Seminar: "Improving the Performance of Electrochemical-Aptamer Based Sensors Towards Continuously Monitoring Devices"

Speaker: Kaylyn Leung, PhD,  Otis Williams Postdoctoral Fellow / Plaxco Group, University of California Santa Barbara

Abstract: The ability to monitor levels of a molecule in the living body, in real time, would greatly enhance our ability to personalize medicine in a manner analogous to how continuous glucose monitoring devices have revolutionized the way we track diabetes. In recent years, members of the Plaxco group have developed electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensors; a platform technology able to monitor a variety of molecules specifically in the living body independent of the chemical or enzymatic reactivity of the molecule. For example, we have developed sensors capable of measuring antibiotic, chemotherapeutic, psychoactive drug and metabolite levels within the circulatory system of anesthetized rats. Though these high time resolution measurements show promise for continuous monitoring, multiple obstacles remain that must be overcome before E-AB sensors can be used as a wearable device ala glucose monitors. Thus motivated, I will be showcasing work towards improving the performance of these E-AB sensors for deployment as continuous monitoring devices. Specifically, I will be exploring the mechanisms that affect the lifetime of these sensors, followed by increasing their longevity and demonstrate our ability to perform long-duration in-vivo measurements.