Research Projects

Chronic kidney disorders, influenced by diabetes, obesity, family history, and cardiovascular disorders, necessitate early detection of kidney damage and close monitoring of biomarkers for patients on routine dialysis regimes. Cystatin-c, a 13.6kDa glycosylated protein biomarker, is a reliable marker for early kidney disease diagnosis due to its less sensitivity to pathological and physiological changes. Various analytical methods, including NMR, ELIsA, immunoassays, and chromatography, are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Uric acid, a biomolecular product of purine metabolism, plays a crucial role in human body function, including kidney and cardiovascular function. Analytical methods for uric acid detection include fluorescence, chromatography, spectrophotometry, and chemiluminescence. This project aims to use MOF nanosheets with tunable porosity and a porphyrin-based biocompatible conducting framework for label-free and labeled-based electrochemical detection of uric acid on a flexible substrate. The sensors will be evaluated on serum and urine samples for uric acid and cystatin-c levels for clinical deployment. The flexible sensors will be compatible with point-of-care sensing device platforms and cell phones. Further studies can be initiated to translate the sensor into transparent skin patches and functionalize transistor channels for bioFET fabrication.