Research Projects

Sepsis is a leading cause of death from infection, particularly in ICU patients, due to the lack of sensitive pathological detection protocols. The detection limit and diagnosis accuracy are issues, as biomarkers may not discriminate between local infection and progression to sepsis. This proposal proposes developing MoS2 nanostructures biosensors using two approaches: FET and SERS-based sensors. Among sepsis biomarkers, LPS, interleukin, procalcitonin, and CRP are prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. In 2018, a group of scientists identified IL-3 as an independent predictor of septic shock and death through electrical response based on enzymatic signal amplification. The main advantages of nanopatterend MoS2 flakes over pristine ones include enhanced electrical conductivity, local electron concentration, customized defect centers, and enhanced edge surface area. The nanopatterend MoS2 flakes can be functionalized with antibodies with adequate coating and linkers to overcome limitations such as heterogeneous surface coating, non-specific binding, and steric hindrance among antibodies. Three different coating materials, such as APTES, ethanolamine, and chloramine, will be used to create a homogenous dense layer. The best coating will be used for further functionalization of hetero bifunctional PEG (NHS-PEG-COOH), which will act as a flexible linker for antibody attachment, reducing steric hindrance of antigen binding and non-specific binding of biomolecules.

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