Novel Optical Biosensors with Integrated Sample Manipulation
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Novel Optical Biosensors with Integrated Sample Manipulation
Fri, 11/11/2022 - 13:30
Location:
Speaker:
Dr Ruchi Gupta
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham
Synopsis:
My research vision is to develop self-contained platforms with applications in clinical diagnostics, food testing, and environmental monitoring. These self-contained platforms must have capabilities to sense/measure and manipulate samples. We have been studying the effect of materials on shaping of light beams to design optical biosensors where interaction between light beams and analytes to be measured is maximised. The research in my group relies on tools and concepts from Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering. For example, we rely on Chemical Sciences to (1) develop hydrogels with required optical and chemical properties, (2) immobilise biorecognition elements that provide sensitivity and selectivity, and (3) photopattern for multiplexed measurements, internal referencing, and sample processing.
In this presentation, I will discuss the work done in my group on a type of optical biosensors called leaky waveguides (LW) (Figure 1). I will discuss their applications for measurement of ferritin and its average iron content [1], which can be used for early identification of high-risk trauma patients. LWs are universal biosensors and hence we have been working to extend their applications to a range of protein biomarkers (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factors, lactoferrin) and small molecules. I will then discuss integration of LW biosensors with (1) electrokinetic sample manipulation for reducing analysis time [2] and (2) microfluidic gradient generator for simultaneous quantification and calibration [3]. Subsequently, I will discuss leaky waveguide gratings (LWGs), which were created by photopatterning of biorecognition elements, for internal referencing needed to measure analyte concentration while eliminating effects of changes in sample composition [4]. Finally, I will highlight upcoming research directions in my group.
Keywords: Biosensors, microfluidics, analytical, hydrogels, diagnostics
References
[1] R. Gupta, N.A. Alamrani, G.M. Greenway, N. Pamme, N.J. Goddard, Analytical Chemistry, 2019, 91, 7366.
[2] N.J. Goddard, R. Gupta, Sensors and Actuators B, 2019, 301, 127063.
[3] R. Gupta, N.J. Goddard, 25th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2021, 1553.
[4] R. Gupta, N.J. Goddard, Sensors and Diagnostics, 2022,1, 504.
Biography:
Dr Ruchi Gupta is an Associate Professor and Global Engagement lead in the School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham. Dr Gupta’s area of expertise is sensors, microfluidics, and analytical platforms. Dr Gupta is a recipient of RSC’s 2021 Joseph Black Award. She has received grants from Cancer Research UK, Leverhulme Trust, Research Councils UK, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and industry. Dr Gupta is the Founder and Chair of IUPAC’s Early- to Mid-Career Analytical Scientists subcommittee. She is a member of RSC’s Analytical Division Council, permanent steering committee member of the Europtrode conferences, and Associate Editor of RSC Advances.