Advancing Early Alzheimer’s Detection with Biosensing

Project Description

Our research lab, in Boston University Photonics Center’s Business Innovation Center, is focused on the development of new diagnostic tests to support personalized therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from neurological conditions. Given the increasingly decentralized nature of healthcare and clinical trials, there is a need for easy-to-use, cost-effective remote monitoring tools in near-patient settings.

To address this unmet need, we are focused on developing an electrochemical-based microfluidic platform to bridge the gap between multiple-biomarker strategies—that are more optimistic with complex, multifactorial diseases/conditions—and their implementation as a part of routine clinical care/trials. Our platform—based on novel electrochemical sensing technology developed at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute—selectively detects protein biomarkers captured by antibodies that are coupled to a nano-composite coating on the electrode surface.

The goal of this project will be to develop an electrode chip to improve the early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers working on this project will learn about the application of protein biomarkers for neurological conditions and some of the interdisciplinary challenges associated with developing near-patient diagnostics.

 Mentors

Daniel Lookadoo, PI Hilena Frew

• Design prototype and characterize an electrode chip.
• Optimize the design for the electrochemical detection of protein biomarkers.
• Develop methods for characterizing the prototype.
• Learn about the design and fabrication of electrode chips.
• Learn about the design and chemistry of electrochemical biosensors.
• Learn about surface characterization techniques and tools for data analysis.

Timeline

Week 1: Introduction and general lab training
Week 2: Review the literature and ideate design
Week 3: Develop electrode chip
Week 4: Prototype electrode chip
Week 5: Characterize electrode chip
Week 6: Functionalize electrode surface
Week 7: Characterize and optimize functionalized surface
Week 8: Evaluate the prototype
Week 9: Make conclusions and report results
Week 10: Prepare and present findings