7^th Euro Biosensors & Bioelectronics Congress July 10-11, 2017 Berlin, Germany

Biography:

Mark Platt completed his Graduation and PhD at University of Manchester. He has developed an interdisciplinary research team investigating nanomaterial synthesis, characterization and electroanalytical sensors. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Analytical Science developing portable diagnostic technologies via the integration of nanomaterial’s, fluidics and aptamers into nanopore sensors. He has published more then 35 peer review papers, and is a member of East Midlands Biomedical Research Unit–Diet, lifestyle and physical activity and an academic member of Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, East Midlands.

Abstract:

Point-of-need analytical devices have important applications in environmental, food security, forensic, biological warfare and the outbreak of contagious disease. Such sensors save time, overheads and lives, and to meet this demand a variety of technology platforms have emerged. Nanopore technologies offer single particle analysis, being used to sequence DNA, detect proteins, cells or nanomaterials. They even offer controlled and preferred ion flow enabling current rectifiers and ion sensors. Changing the size, length and shape of the pores has enabled a range of analytes to be quantified and characterised. Here, we present some of our recent work developing multiplexed assays using aptamer modified nanomaterials and pores to compare the use resistive pulses or rectification ratios on a tunable pore platform. We compare their ability to quantify the cancer biomarker Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Secondly, by tuning the ligands and the setup, we then show how the translocation speed, conductive and resistive pulse magnitude, can be used to infer the surface charge of a nanoparticles, and act as a specific signal transduction for the binding of metal ions to ligands on the particles surface, used to extract and detect copper (II) ions (Cu2+) from solution. Finally, we show data from samples that contain bacteria and bacteriophage and strategies to quickly quantify them.

Biography:

Valerie Gaudin completed her MSc in Veterinary Pharmacy and Biochemistry and has 20 years of experience as a Government Analytical Biochemist. She has completed her PhD in 2016 at Rennes University, France. She is a Senior Analytical Biochemist at ANSES- Laboratory of Fougères, France. She is responsible for a number of research projects in the areas of antibiotic residues, veterinary medicines, and emerging bio-sensor techniques. She has published more than 26 peer reviewed papers based on microbiological methods, ELISA kits and biosensors

Abstract:

Antibiotic residues may be present in foodstuffs (e.g., milk, meat, eggs, etc.) after treatment of livestock. The first stage of food control is carried out through screening methods. Thus, routine detection of antibiotic residues with high sensitivity is central for food safety. Conventional screening methods are microbiological or immunological methods (e.g., ELISA). Biosensor type methods are in continuous development to improve the performance and portability of screening methods. Our laboratory has worked on the evaluation of screening methods developed from optical biosensors. Now, we focus on electrochemical biosensors which are a promising way to develop cost-effective and portable screening methods. To date, this track is not developed by any other laboratory from those in the field of antibiotic residue testing. An innovative method based on disposable electrodes, coupled to magnetic beads, allowing the electrochemical detection in milk of three families of antibiotics simultaneously was published by a Spanish academic team. Our laboratory will evaluate the transferability of the method. The optimization of the analytical parameters and the evaluation of the method performance according to the European decision 2002/657/EC (2002) will be presented here. Advantages and drawbacks in developing this type of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of antibiotic residues in food will be concluded.

Biography:

Hiroyuki Takei completed his PhD in Applied Engineering Physics at Cornell University in 1992. Since then, he has been affiliated with various organizations such as Hitachi Ltd. (Electronics), Lamdagen LLC (Biosensor start-up in silicon valley), Fujirebio Inc. (Medical Diagnostics), and Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Since 2009, he has been Full Professor in Department of Life Sciences at Toyo University, Japan. His main research interest has been in the field of “Biosensing and analytical techniques based on plasmonics”.

Abstract:

Plasmonics is expected to play a growing role in biosensing and environmental monitoring. It is in the area of localized surface plasmon resonance sensing and surface-enhanced Raman/fluorescence spectroscopies where there is much expectation. It is crucial to develop techniques for producing requisite nanostructures reproducibly at low costs. Toward this end, we are working on a number of different techniques. One is based on metal film on nano-spheres (MFON) where randomly-adsorbed SiO₂ nano-spheres are used as a template. The second method is a chemical method whereby base metal nanoparticles are used as seed for growing silver nano-structures from AgNO₃. The third method is based on exploitation of naturally existing nanostructures such as butterfly wing scales; scales coated with Ag have been shown to be an effective SERS platform. We will discuss pros and cons of these three fabrication techniques. Furthermore, the method of detection protocols is important. We have been working on different configurations. One is intended for in-situ detection of target molecules on a solid surface, such as residual pesticides on agricultural produces as well as identification of chemical evidence at a criminal scene. With this in mind, we have prepared a flexible surface coated with noble metal nanostructures, calling it FlexiSERS. Placing FlexiSERS onto a surface allows in situ SERS identification of the chemical species on the surface. We have also combined a SERS surface with thin layer chromatography, TLC-SERS. This has allowed detecting Raman-active species in the complex medium such as food.

Biography:

Alex Hariz completed his MS in 1983 and PhD in 1989 in Department of Electrical Engineering at University of Southern California. He then completed his Post-doctoral fellow position in Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University in Canada. He joined the University of South Australia in 1992, and is currently a Senior Lecturer in School of Engineering, teaching courses such as electronic devices, linear electronics, integrated circuits, and MEMS. His research activities include “Silicon microelectronics, micro-engineering of inertial sensors, micro-optics and fabrication of bio-MEMS sensors for use in biomedical applications”. He is an Editorial Board Member of Journal of International Decision Technologies.

Abstract:

Measurement of small signals originating from ionic activity inside a biological cell known as action potential, poses a great challenge to biomedical scientists. The electrical signals of the biological cells result from exchange of ions through the cell membrane. The characteristics of action potentials may reveal a great deal of information about the causes and symptoms of abnormal cell behavior. Hence, it is imperative to capture high quality action potentials through the use of nanosensor from within the cell. Recently, developments in silicon nanowires (SiNW) fabrication techniques have demonstrated a great potential for them to be used as nano-electrodes. Large-scale assembly and integration of addressable complementary silicon nanowires arrays have been demonstrated for multiplexed biosensor arrays. The fabrication process resulted in a high-yield, high performance devices arrays for chemical and biological detection. In this paper, we seek to model the electrical interface that is responsible for recording the biological signals. We present electrical equivalent circuits that model the boundary between the biological cell and the nanowire electrode. Impedance measurement curves of nanowires for various sizes of length and diameter have also been presented and discussed in this paper. The impedance graphs show a hyperbolic dependence of resistance on length and diameter of nanowires. This non-linear behavior may be mitigated in software algorithms when interpreting the measured cell signals. We believe that the proposed electrical model will lead to a more accurate characterization of NW biosensor arrays which are now integrated on disposable PCB interfaces. It will potentially evolve the sensor arrays into a controllable and scalable nanowire biosensor platform for clinical and point-of-care diagnostic applications in the near future.

Biography:

Rosa F Dutra is a Professor in Department of Biomedical Engineering at Federal University of Pernambuco. She is an Electronic Engineer, completed her Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, PhD and Post-doc in Biotechnology. Her research is focused on immuno-sensors, geno-sensors, biomimetic sensors, surface modification, synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials developing several platforms for measuring biomolecules interaction, using acoustics, optical and electrochemical transducers, focusing in the point-of-care testing. She has supervised more than 25 post-graduate students and nowadays, she coordinates four great health research projects.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Wide-scale point-of-care diagnostics systems hold great promise for economic, rapid and practical diagnosis of several diseases, benefiting those with high morbimortality rates. Electrochemical biosensors using amperometric transduction have several advantages as compared to optical and acoustical transductions due to their ease scale up, fast response and low cost connection with compact (hand-held) analyzers. However, several drawbacks on performance have limited their large use in clinical diagnostic. The purpose of this study is to describe some strategies of sensor platforms using conducting polymer integrating carbon allotropes including carbon nanotubes, graphene and fullerene, in order to overcome challenges required as a low limit of detection and a good reproducibility.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Different nanocomposites were electro-synthetized by using a mixture of the respective carbon allotrope and monomers of conductive polymer (pyrrole, thiophene, ethylenediamine, etc.). Afterwards, antigen or antibodies were covalently immobilized on the sensor surface, followed by blocking of non-specific bindings.

Findings: It was observed that the synergism between these materials (conductive polymer and carbon allotrope) has increased the electron transfer charge, electrode surface area, amount of immobilized biomolecules, faradaic current and conductivity; besides, the functionalized nanomaterials have also promoted covalent immobilization and exposure of reactive sites to analytes. Cardiac troponin T, dengue, hepatitis and degenerative disease were the analytes detected in these immuno-sensors.

Conclusion & Significance: Label-free and redox probe-free responses using amperometric electrochemical technique for detecting analytes in serum and whole blood was obtained. The analytes were found at clinical range of relevance for diagnosis of corresponding diseases. These prospective sensors are potentials for point-of-care testing with ease scale-up and greater performance.

Biography:

Giorgi Shtenberg completed his PhD in 2014 in Biotechnology and Food Engineering at Technion–Israel Institute of Technology. He has expertise in Nanomaterials, Semiconductors, Microfluidics, Photonics and Biological Interfaces for biomedical and environmental monitoring applications. He is currently a Scientist and Head of Bio-Nano-Laboratory at Institute of Agriculture Engineering, ARO-The Volcani Center. He is focusing on the development of novel biosensors/bioassays that will transform from a laboratory-based research into real on-site “lab-on-chip” platforms for addressing problems in fields of agriculture, animal diagnostics, food safety and environmental monitoring and detection.

Abstract:

This work presents a generic integrated biosensing platform for real-time optical monitoring of heavy metal pollutants in water bodies by enzymatic activity inhibition. Optical studies exhibit high specificity and sensitivity towards three metal ions (Ag⁺>Pb²⁺>Cu²⁺), with a detection limit of 56 ppb. Additionally, we demonstrate detection and quantification of metal pollutants in real water samples (e.g. surface and ground water) with results comparable with gold standard analytical techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The main advantage of the presented biosensing concept is the ability to detect heavy metal ions, at environmentally relevant concentrations, using a simple and portable experimental setup, while the specific biosensor design can be tailored by varying the enzyme type.

Biography:

Chirasree Roy Chaudhuri has completed her PhD in 2007 at Jadavpur University, India and is presently an Assistant Professor in Department of Electronics and Telecomm Engineering, IIEST Shibpur, India. Her fields of research interest are “Development of selective electrical biosensors, understanding the physical mechanisms for sub-femtomolar detection and measurement of biophysical properties of cells through distributed models”. She has received Young Scientist Award from National Academy of Science, India and Women Excellence Award from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and has published around 60 papers in peer reviewed journals and proceedings.

Abstract:

Various nanostructures like nanowires, nanotubes and nanopores have been extensively explored for label free conductance type biosensors and also for detection of a single molecule in synthesized solutions. However, their major limitation is that the detection limit of biomolecules in physiological fluids like blood is only in the range of few pM. There have been several attempts to push down the detection limit by performing the noise analysis of the conductance fluctuation. But it has failed to differentiate the noise originating due to the specific antibody-antigen binding kinetics from the large magnitude of the device noise for fM or sub fM concentrations. This talk explores the physical origin behind this phenomenon and introduces closed solid state nanopore array as a novel device for ultrasensitive detection. The device is fabricated by electrochemical etching of silicon followed by annealing treatment for coalescence of small pores below 10 nm diameter (usually formed on the top) and subsequent thermal oxidation. This ensures stable and reproducible impedance measurements. Experimental observations reveal the unique presence of resonant peak in the frequency dependent characteristics only in the presence of specific antigen. Further this peak is also concentration dependent and combining the noise analysis at the resonant frequency has enabled the selective detection of Hep-B virus in blood samples down to 1 fM concentration. The physics behind these observations have been interpreted by coupling finite element modeling of the solid and the fluid regions.

Biography:

Laura Moro is a Biotechnologist, completed her MSc in Biomedical Research, PhD in Medicine at University of Barcelona, Spain. She is currently a Marie Curie Post-doctoral Researcher within the Sample In-Answer Out Optochemical Sensing Systems (SAMOSS) Network at Biosensor Srl (Rome, Italy). Her research is focused on “The development of novel biosensing technologies for different biomedical, environmental and agrifood applications with the final aim of improving global health”.

Abstract:

Increasing pollution of marine environment requires development of sensitive, cheap and adaptable early warning systems for on-site monitoring of chemical contaminants. Herein, we present an optical bioassay exploiting an array of green photosynthetic microalgae as a promising alternative for monitoring seawater pollutants, which can provide rapid and quantitative toxicity information while assessing the harmful effect on marine ecosystems. For bioassay optimization, several microalgae species from Chlorophycea, Trebouxiophycea, dinoflagellates, diatoms and Eustigmatophycea groups with different marine and non-marine origins were studied in marine environmental conditions. The lipid content of selected species was analyzed, since lipids have been proposed to be involved in protection mechanisms against salt stress. The fluorescence response of the algae photosystem II was examined in real-time in the presence of three commonly found marine pollutants that act as photosynthesis inhibitors: simazine, diuron and irgarol. Algae from marine origin were discarded because of their low fluorescence response. The chemical pollutants were tested alone or in combination in a seawater matrix with non-marine algae species, and results validated by LC-MS. Pesticides were detected in seawater samples in the ng/L- low µg/L range, and a synergistic effect was observed when analyzing pesticide mixtures. The different algae species showed slightly diverse sensitivities for the three pollutants, being Chlorella mirabilis the most sensitive with a limit of detection of 67 ng/L for diuron. Therefore, a green microalgae-based bioassay was successfully developed for real-time monitoring of marine water quality and evaluation of bio-toxicity by the fluorescence analysis of photosystem II

Biography:

Daniel Nieto works as a Researcher at University of Santiago de Compostela. He completed his Doctoral studies at University of Santiago de Compostela. Previously, he was a Marie-Curie Fellow (ITN) at National University of Ireland where he completed his Master's in Experimental Physics. He has worked as a Project Manager at IK4-CIDETEC and has done several Post-doctoral researches on Tissue Engineering at Harvard University and National Center for Laser Applications, National University of Ireland.

Abstract:

Electro stimulation oriented to medical applications is an electric current induced method used for excitation and activation of certain organs and systems of the human body. Although many organs and systems can be stimulated by electric currents by adequate methods and techniques applied, the most widely practiced application is heart electro stimulation. Aside from this therapy, where the electric pulses are applied directly to the patient, electro stimulators are used in medical investigation as a tool to induce electric signals in cell cultures simulating different body conditions. In this method, electro stimulator must be carefully designed to work in a very specific circumstance. The device usually consists in two electrodes in direct contact with the cell culture, where the electric stimulus is induced by applying a voltage between them. They must be biocompatible to avoid toxic reactions in the culture and they also must efficiently transfer the charge to the medium in order to minimize the electrode degradation. In this work, we present a laser based fabrication process of fabricating an electro stimulator for cardiac cells on a 200 nm aluminum film deposited by physical vapor deposition over a soda-lime glass. By using laser techniques, the aluminum film was selectively removed to obtain a pre-designed electric circuit which is able to apply electric stimulus in an area delimited by a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer over the circuit. In order to avoid direct contact between the circuit and the cell culture, a 100 μm glass is placed between them. The electro stimulator was then assembled between two polycarbonate layers in order to maintain the device compact.

Biography:

Giuseppe Strangi is a Professor of Physics at Case Western Reserve University and holds an endowed Chair position as Ohio Research Scholar. He is affiliated with IAM-Institute for Advanced Materials at CWRU and with CNR-National Research Council, Italy. He is Co-Chair of the scientific initiative “From Life to Life” National Academy of Lincei, and President of the scientific committee of the Foundation “Con il Cuore”, a national foundation to support cancer research in Europe. He completed his PhD at University of Calabria.

Abstract:

Optical sensor technology offers significant opportunities in the field of medical research and clinical diagnostics, particularly for the detection of small numbers of molecules in highly diluted solutions. Several methods have been developed for this purpose, including label-free plasmonic biosensors based on metamaterials. However, the detection of lower-molecular weight (<500 Da) biomolecules in highly diluted solutions is still a challenging issue owing to their lower polarizability. In this context, we have developed a miniaturized plasmonic biosensor platform based on a hyperbolic metamaterial that can support highly confined bulk plasmon guided modes over a broad wavelength range from visible to near infrared. By exciting these modes using a grating-coupling technique, we achieved different extreme sensitivity modes with a maximum of 30,000 nm per refractive index unit (RIU) and a record figure of merit (FOM) of 590. We report the ability of the metamaterial platform to detect ultralow-molecular-weight (244 Da) biomolecules at picomolar concentrations using a standard anity model streptavidin–biotin.

Biography:

Valentina Margaria completed her Graduation in Medical Biotechnology at University of Torino in 2003. In 2007, she completed her PhD in Complex System and started to work on Bio-MEMS at Techfab Srl. In 2010, she took part in Global Solution Program organized by Singularity University at NASA Ames Research Park, whose mission is to deal with, and solve, humanity’s grand challenges using exponentially developing technologies. Currently, she is a Senior Post-doctorate at Center for Sustainable Future Technologies, Polito, where she is working on “Microbial fuel cells improvement through the integration of biology with new materials and design”.

Abstract:

Water scarcity and poor water quality negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities across the world. For these reasons, access to clean water is one of the 17 goals defined by United Nations. The development of innovative and cost effective systems for long term and in-situ freshwater quality monitoring is fundamental to provide access to clean water. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) are bio-electrochemical systems able to convert the chemical energy stored into the organic matters into electrical energy, therefore, they can simultaneously treat wastewater and produce energy. More recently, increasing attention has been paid to the potential use of MFCs as sensors for in-situ water quality monitoring. The current generated by MFCs directly reflect the metabolic activity of the anodophilic electroactive bacteria. Thus, the presence of a toxicant in the anolyte can affect the microbial metabolism with consequent changes in the current generated. In particular, in MFC-based biosensor the sensing element does not need a physical transducer to obtain a readable signal (electrical power). Moreover, MFC-based biosensor is an early detector; it is simple in operation and can be highly cost effective. These unique characteristics perfectly meet the requirement for long-term in situ sensing application. Focusing on the development of real in situ application at CSF-IIT, we are investigating the biosensing capability of a mixed community biofilm directly coming from river sediment and in equilibrium with the environment.

Biography:

Josep Lluís Acero Sánchez completed his MSc in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in 2007 and PhD in Nanoscience, Materials and Chemical Engineering in 2017 at Rovira i Virgili University, Spain. He is currently working as Researcher and Project Manager in Nanobiotechnology and Bio-analysis Group at Rovira i Virgili University. He has specialization in “The development of ultra-sensitive optical and electrochemical immuno- and genosensors for medical, environmental and food sciences”. In 2015, he was awarded with a TECNIOspring fellowship to develop and integrate platform for the isolation and analysis of cell-free nucleic acids for non-invasive pre-natal testing. He has published 20 peer-reviewed articles.

Abstract:

The analysis of circulating cell-free (cf) DNA from plasma, serum or urine has the potential to serve as non-invasive approach to detect and monitor targets associated with certain diseases. In 1997, the presence of fetal DNA in the plasma and serum of pregnant women was demonstrated. This opened new perspectives in field of non-invasive pre-natal diagnostics since the analysis of cell-free fetal (cff) DNA can provide information about pregnancy related disorders (pre-eclampsia, preterm labor), chromosomal aberrations (e.g. aneuploidies), and genetic disorders (e.g. cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia, Huntington’s disease). We report on the development of an automated and integrated modular system for the isolation, amplification and detection of cffDNA from maternal plasma for non-invasive pre-natal diagnostics. The system consists of a first module for the cfDNA isolation from plasma based on silica-coated magnetic beads technology. Subsequently, the cfDNA obtained is introduced to a second module which is based on a polymeric microsystem containing a capillary electrophoresis step for the size separation of the fetal DNA from maternal DNA. Finally, the cffDNA is transferred to the amplification/detection module. This module consists of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) electrode arrays functionalized with surface immobilized primers for the multiplexed isothermal recombinase polymerase DNA amplification and electrochemical quantitative detection of specific genetic sequences. The developed technology is of generic and flexible nature allowing its facile modification to other targets of interest in clinical diagnostics and thus the developed platforms can also be exploited for analysis of circulating nucleic acids in oncology and multiple other disorders.

Biography:

Fouzi Mouffouk is an Associate Professor in Department of Chemistry at Kuwait University. His research activities are focused on the field of “Nanotechnology and biomedical (designing and fabricating self-assembled nanomaterials and their application in: medical imaging, regenerative medicine and biosensor technology and biosensors)”. He completed his MS and PhD at University of Montpellier II France. After his PhD, he spent three years as a Research Scientist at Centre for BioArray Innovation, which is one of the four consortiums for Post Genome Sciences in UK and; he was responsible for the development of new biosensor devices. He was involved in many projects related to the development of nano-probes for cancer early detection using ultrasounds and MR imaging at Rush Hospital in Chicago, USA. After that, he was appointed as Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory where he worked on a project called artificial life (or living technology) with NASA Institute of Astrobiology, to design and assess the performance of artificial genes that support the functionalities of these proto-cells (gene self-replication and gene implication in the proto-cell metabolism). After that, he was appointed as an Associate Professor at Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering Centre for Molecular and Structural Biomedicine, University of Algarve, Portugal.

Abstract:

Early cancer detection is a major factor in the reduction of mortality and cancer management cost, the development of new tools for this purpose is of great value. Since healthy and pathological tissues as well as distinct diseases show similar magnetic moments, they produce a poor image contrast. In order to get a better anatomical differentiation and improve sensitivity, contrast agents (CAs) are used. Here, we present the development of a smart and targeted polymeric nanoparticle-based contrast agent (CA) for magnetic resonance imaging, able to turn on its imaging capability in the presence of target cancer cells. The new CA consists of pH-sensitive polymeric micelles formed by self-assembly of a diblock copolymer (PEG-b-PTMSMA), loaded with a gadolinium (III) complex (^tBuBipyGd) and explores the acidic pH in cancer tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that the designed nanoparticles are indeed pH-sensitive, in that they remained intact in neutral pH and turned on its imaging ability upon disruption in an acidic microenvironment. This encapsulation procedure significantly reduced the ^tBuBipyGd complex cytotoxicity towards Jurkat and MCF-7 cell lines. The targeting ability of nanoparticles towards cancer cells was enhanced by conjugation with the C595 monoclonal antibody against the human MUC1 protein, which is often overexpressed in breast cancer. Indeed, nanoparticle uptake by MUC1-expressing cells was higher for targeted than for non-targeted micelles. In addition, the uptake of targeted micelles by MUC1-expressing cells was stronger than by MUC1-negative cells.

Biography:

Asrulnizam Abd Manaf is an Associate Professor, completed his PhD in Engineering in Department of Applied Physic and Physico Informatics at School of Fundamental Science and Technology, Keio University Japan in 2009. Since 2009, he has been a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Then, he promoted to Associate Professor in 2015. He has authored and co-authored 60 international technical journal or conference papers. His current research interest includes “Development of bio-inspired based microfluidic based sensor, micro fluidic based memristor, micro fluidic based tuneable inductor, micro fluidic thermoelectric generator (mTEG, and micro 3-dimension fabrication technique by using grayscale technology”.

Abstract:

Implementation of simple fluidic-based memristor sensor in bio-sensing application was presented. The sensor was fabricated using sol-gel spin coating technique and has nine wells functions to increase the conjugation area to trap virus. The sensor fabricated in four sizes wells diameter of 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm and 2 mm. The sensors were modified with anti-dengue virus NS1 glycoprotein monoclonal antibody before applied with dengue virus 1 virus NS1 glycoprotein full. Four concentration’s dengue viruses of 52 nM, 104 nM, 208 nM and 416 nM prepared and applied to the modified sensor. The ability of the sensor in sensing dengue virus is measured using the off-on resistance ratio to represent the loop area. The results show that the loop area of the pinched hysteresis loop increase as the dengue virus applied to the modified sensor. The loop area also increases as the concentration of the dengue virus increases. The most obvious change in loop area observed for 416 nM dengue virus. The recorded sensitivity for the 2 mm wells diameter is 6.53×10^-3 (nM)^-1 which measured in fluidic-based platform. This concludes that the dengue virus produced reaction with the modified sensor and thus changes the sensors behaviors.

Biography:

Anton Alexandru Ciucu completed his MSc in 1979 in Department of Biochemistry, University of Bucharest. In 1987, he completed his PhD in Chemistry at Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest. Since 2000, he is a Professor of Analytical Biochemistry at University of Bucharest. He was a Visiting Professor at University of Louisville, Chemistry department, USA (1991-1992). He was the Vice-Director of the Center for Research and Development of Bio-analytical Techniques (1999-2007). Since 1980, his research interests include “The development of nanomaterial-based sensors, electrochemical biosensors, DNA biosensors, devices for environmental, security, and clinical monitoring”. He has authored over 84 research papers, six books, and two patents and has presented more than 130 scientific communications, plenary lectures at different international conferences.

Abstract:

Biosensing is a field of interest for analytical chemists for more than 40 years, with excellent results in fields like environment, clinical and food analysis. The detection of DNA has a particular interest in genetics, pathology, criminology, pharmacogenetics and food safety. Biotechnology related to DNA immobilization on electroactive surfaces was used for the determination of a wide range of biomolecules. Nowadays carbon allotropes e.g., synthetic mono-crystalline diamond, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes are among the most popular matrices for construction of biosensors, due to their unique electrochemical features, such as high electrical conductivity and catalyst support. Our efforts in this domain aim for the construction and characterization of different DNA based biosensors for detection of important (bio) molecules like neurotransmitters, DNA or gene sequences. In the medical field, the monitoring of the neurotransmitters in depressive patients represents a major demand focusing on the health state of the patients, with social and economic effects. High concentration levels of neurotransmitters in the human body were connected to different types of tumors, heart diseases and circulatory system diseases. We develop a novel assay for the electrochemical detection of guanine based on carbon nanotubes paste electrodes modified with cobalt phthalocyanine. We highlight some modern aspects of DNA biosensors based on carbonaceous materials used in amperometric sensing, a detection method which has already found a large number of applications in health care, food industry and environmental analysis. Some relevant applications of DNA based biosensors to real sample analysis of some important neurotransmitters and some possible future trends are presented. The advantages of short analysis time and combination with nanotechnology for increasing the sensitivity make the modified electrodes worthy of special emphasis in the non-labeled detection of DNA hybridization reaction and in the development of DNA based biosensors for toxins and pathogens determination.

Biography:

Abdulhakim Abamecha completed his Master’s Degree in Medical Microbiology (Bacterial Drug Resistance) at College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University in 2013. Currently, he is a PhD scholar in Tropical and Infectious Diseases and his thesis entitled “Molecular surveillance of K13-propeller gene polymorphisms and automated blood smear analysis for mobile malaria diagnosis using deep learning in Southwest Ethiopia” at Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia and academic Staff of Faculty of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Mettu University, Ethiopia. He is the author of several articles published in peer-reviewed journal.

Abstract:

Background & Aim: During last two decades, there has been a world-wide trend in increasing occurrence of enterococcal infections in the hospitals. Despite worldwide increasing rate of drug resistant enterococci colonization and infection among hospitalized patients, there is scarcity of data from resource limited setting. The present study aimed at determining the spectrum of enterococcal infections, species prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and characteristics of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in Mettu Referal Hospital, Southwestern, Ethiopia.

Materials & Methods: Between January 2015 and July 2015, Enterococcus species were obtained from clinical samples. Enterococci were identified using standard biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion according to Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. VRE agar base was used to screen VRE isolates. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of VRE isolates were determined using Epsilometer-test. VRE isolates were also examined by PCR to detect vanA gene.

Results: From 325 clinical samples, 40 (12.3%) enterococcal isolates were obtained. Most common species isolated was E. faecalis (72.6%) followed by E. faecium (26.7%). Majority of enterococcal infections were detected from medical and surgical wards and clinically presented as UTIs. Disk diffusion method showed 62.1% were resistant to penicillin, 59.5% ampicillin, 34.5% ciprofloxacin, 34.7% high-level gentamicin, 32.8% high-level streptomycin, 2.6% teicoplanin and none to linezolid. Three (7.5%) enterococcal isolates were vancomycin resistant in VRE screen and disk diffusion method. Epsilometer-test of VRE isolates showed two (5%) isolates were resistant and one (2.5%) was intermediately resistant. From three VRE isolates, two showed VanA and one VanB phenotypes and the two VanA phenotypes had vanA gene cluster.

Conclusion: This study reveals the emergence of vancomycin resistance enterococci strains. Thus, periodic surveillance of antibacterial susceptibilities is recommended to detect emerging resistance and to prevent the spread of antibacterial-resistant strains. Besides, more accurate and reliable MIC determination tests should be performed in all suspected VRE isolates. Confirmatory PCR is required for identifying resistant gene cluster.

Biography:

Dawid Nidzworski is an Entrepreneur and Scientist. He completed his Graduation at Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), Poland and Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk (IFB UG-MUG). He also completed his PhD at IFB UG-MUG. He developed biosensor (FluSensDx) which will identify influenza virus in the patient's throat swab. He is also working on an edible vaccine against influenza virus for poultry (LIDER). He has received many awards and scholarships. He is Co-author of several publications, congress reports and patent applications. His start-up company SensDx will revolutionize the way of medical diagnostics in the world.

Abstract:

Influenza is a contagious disease caught by humans and caused by viruses belonging to the family Orthomyxoviridae. Each year, the influenza virus infects millions of people and kills hundreds of thousands of them. Economic losses caused by employee absenteeism are counted in the hundreds of millions of dollars a year. In order to successfully treat influenza virus infections, it is necessary to detect virus during initial development phase of the infection when tens to hundreds of viruses are present in pharynx of the patient. Here, we show a new universal diamond biosensor which enables detection of the virus at ultralow concentration even before clinical symptoms. A diamond electrode is modified with polyclonal anti-M1 antibodies and then a universal biomarker of influenza virus – M1 protein can be captured. In this assay, we observe a change in electrochemical impedance spectra. A detection limit of 1×10^-14 g/mL in saliva buffer is achieved with M1 biomarker corresponds with 5-10 virus particles in samples. Also the universality of the assay was confirmed analyzing different strains of influenza A virus.

Biography:

Andreas Dietzel studied Physics and completed his PhD at University of Göttingen in 1990. In the years 1990 to 2003, he worked in different organizations of IBM including the Research Laboratory in Rüschlikon. In 2004, he joined TU Eindhoven as a Full Professor of Micro and Nanoscale Engineering. In 2012, he was appointed as Professor at TU Braunschweig and Director of the Institute of Micro-technology. His research interest focuses on “The design and fabrication of microsystems and especially of microfluidic systems with applications in the life sciences”.

Abstract:

In a world that becomes increasingly concerned about affordable health care, fast and effective screening methods for drugs in different formulations are required in the course of their development. In addition, the trend towards personalized medicine demands production of drugs in very small volumes. For both, the microfluidic approach is ideally suited. With miniaturized systems that can be realized by micro- or nanofabrication processes, new tools for pharmaceutical research and development become available. As new and better technologies for pre-clinical screening of drugs and formulations microfluidic cell culture models that can mimic in-vivo conditions have attracted much attention. Recently developed organ-on-chip platforms providing dynamic flow conditions like cornea-on-chip and pancreas-on-chip will be presented including aspects of their microfluidic design, their fabrication and application. These systems are equipped with integrated sensors but also allow microscopic access at low background auto fluorescence. Furthermore recent work on the production of nanoparticle formulations within microfluidic droplet flows and plug flows will be discussed. In thereby obtained smallest fluid volumes mixing is accelerated and very controlled precipitation occurs. This leads to nanoparticle formulations in which particle sizes can be tuned by external flow controls. These approaches offer new possibilities for production at smallest scales and for improving the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.

Biography:

Yong Shin has completed his PhD at Max Planck Institute and Georg August University Goettingen, Germany and Post-doctoral studies at University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA. He is an Assistant Professor of Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, South Korea. He has published more than 40 papers in SCI journals and has been developing the molecular diagnostic techniques based on bio-optical sensor for clinical use. Finally, he would like to develop a rapid and accurate point-of care testing (POCT) device based on biosensor integrating sample preparation system.

Abstract:

Rapid, early, and accurate diagnosis of human diseases including human cancers, infectious diseases is essential for effective disease management and surveillance, and can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Although significant advances have been achieved for the diagnosis of human diseases, these technologies are still far from ideal, being time consuming, complex and poorly sensitive and specific for clinical use as well as requiring separate assays for sample processing and detection. Recently, my team reports an isothermal, label-free, one-step DNA or RNA amplification and detection system, termed as ISAD for DNA and iROAD for RNA, for the diagnosis of human diseases. It couples one-step isothermal nucleic acid amplification method and bio-optical sensor based on silicon micro-ring resonator for simultaneous DNA or RNA amplification/detection in a label-free and real-time manner. The bio-optical sensor assay offers a one-step amplification/detection example to rapid analysis (< 20 min). The detection limit of the bio-optical sensor assay was found to be 10-times more sensitive than that of conventional methods including PCR and real-time PCR. We confirmed the clinical utility of the bio-optical sensor by detecting several targets (DNA or RNA) obtained from several human disease samples, such as tuberculosis, respiratory virus, malaria, and human cancers. We envision that the bio-optical sensor assay will be useful and potentially adaptable for better diagnosis of diverse human diseases including emerging infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders.

Biography:

M V Sangaranarayanan completed his PhD at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and was subsequently an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow in Germany with Professor Wolfgang Schmickler. Currently, he is a Professor in Department of Chemistry at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai. He has published nearly 120 papers in refereed international journals and co-authored two textbooks. His areas of research include “Statistical mechanics of electrochemical interfaces, diffusion at ultra-microelectrodes and applications of conducting polymers”.

Abstract:

In view of their facile automation, wide linear range and low limits of detection, conducting polymers have been extensively employed as biosensors. Furthermore, electrochemical synthesis of conducting polymers can be carried out effortlessly on various electrodes leading to the robust adherence of the polymer films. Among various sensing applications of conducting polymers, enzymatic and non-enzymatic sensing of glucose, urea, dopamine etc. deserves their biological importance. Conducting polymers extensively investigated in this context encompass polyaniline and polypyrrole. The enzymatic sensing of glucose using polyaniline nanofibers has been demonstrated using cyclic voltammetric, amperometric and impedimetric analysis with impressive detection limits and calibration range. The potentiodynamic polymerization of pyrrole on Pt is shown to yield non-enzymatic sensors of urea with satisfactory linear range of calibration. The electrochemical sensing of other compounds such as levothyroxine, dopamine etc. will be highlighted.

Biography:

Christian Baumgartner is a Professor and Head of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering with European Testing Center of Medical Devices at Graz University of Technology, Austria. He is the author of more than 150 publications in refereed journals, books and conference proceedings. He is a Reviewer for more than 40 scientific journals, and conference proceedings, book and grant proposals and serves as deputy and series Editor as well as an Editorial Board Member of several scientific journals. His main research interests include “Biomedical sensors, cellular electrophysiology and signal processing, biomedical modeling and simulation, and clinical bioinformatics”.

Abstract:

A new optical, adaptable, multi-functional, high-resolution three-axis sensor is presented. The sensor can replace standard joysticks in medical devices such as electric wheelchairs or surgical robots and may also serve for navigation in the aerospace or marine sector. A laser diode is affixed to a movable axis and projects and interprets a random geometric shape on a CMOS or CCD chip. The downstream microcontroller’s software identifies the geometric shape’s center, distortion and size, and subsequently calculates x, y, and z coordinates, which can be processed in attached devices. Depending on the image sensor in use (e.g., 6.41 megapixels), the 3-axis sensor features a resolution of 1544 digits from right to left and 1038 digits up and down. Through interpolation, these values rise by a factor of 100. The movement carrier is positioned in a polymer sandwich which is capable of absorbing a large spectrum of forces upon it (approximately 1 g to 5 kg) and the carrier and thus the axis of the sensor can be moved by <1° in any direction. The sensor features excellent reproducibility in terms of deflection to coordinates and the ability to return to its neutral position very precisely. Further properties are the high level of protection against electromagnetic and radio frequency interferences, and the adaptability and adjustability to fit a user’s range of motion with respect to stroke and force. This new sensor device thus aims to optimize sensor systems such as joysticks in terms of safety, ease of use, and adaptability.

Biography:

Giorgi Shtenberg completed his PhD in 2014 in Biotechnology and Food Engineering at Technion–Israel Institute of Technology. He has expertise in Nanomaterials, Semiconductors, Microfluidics, Photonics and Biological Interfaces for biomedical and environmental monitoring applications. He is currently a Scientist and Head of Bio-Nano-Laboratory at Institute of Agriculture Engineering, ARO-The Volcani Center. He is focusing on the development of novel biosensors/bioassays that will transform from a laboratory-based research into real on-site “lab-on-chip” platforms for addressing problems in fields of agriculture, animal diagnostics, food safety and environmental monitoring and detection.

Abstract:

The objective of this research is to design and construct porous Silicon (PSi) based biosensing platforms for monitoring proteolytic activity of complex proteases. Proteases regulate virtually every biological process, either during growth or maturation through the modification of protein activity or by controlling turnover. They have the unique ability to irreversibly hydrolyze peptide bonds, which results not only in protein degradation, but also in the introduction of new levels of information content into the signaling pathways. Despite their recognition as drug targets of great potential, the profile of their substrates or degradation products remains to be fully elucidated. To achieve this goal, we have designed and fabricated a simple optical biosensing platform based on PSi nanostructures that allows for real-time monitoring of protease activity and downstream mass spectrometry analysis of the substrate degradation products. An oxidized PSi optical nanostructure, a Fabry-Pérot thin film, is synthesized and is used as the optical transducer element. Immobilization of the protease onto the nanostructure is performed through DNA-directed immobilization. Our studies demonstrate high enzymatic activity of the immobilized proteases, while maintaining their specificity. The catalytic activity of the proteases immobilized within the porous nanostructure is monitored in real time by reflective interferometric Fourier transform spectroscopy, allowing us to both concentrate and quantify the reaction products. We show that we can easily regenerate the surface for additional biosensing analysis by mild dehybridization conditions. The biosensor configuration is compatible with common proteomic methods and allows for downstream mass spectrometry analysis of the reaction products.

Biography:

Giorgi Shtenberg completed his PhD in 2014 in Biotechnology and Food Engineering at Technion–Israel Institute of Technology. He has expertise in Nanomaterials, Semiconductors, Microfluidics, Photonics and Biological Interfaces for biomedical and environmental monitoring applications. He is currently a Scientist and Head of Bio-Nano-Laboratory at Institute of Agriculture Engineering, ARO-The Volcani Center. He is focusing on the development of novel biosensors/bioassays that will transform from a laboratory-based research into real on-site “lab-on-chip” platforms for addressing problems in fields of agriculture, animal diagnostics, food safety and environmental monitoring and detection.

Abstract:

The effect of thermal oxidation conditions on the behavior of porous Si optical biosensors, for label-free and real-time monitoring of enzymatic activity, is studied. We compare several oxidation temperatures and their effect on the enzyme immobilization efficiency and the intrinsic stability of the resulting oxidized porous Si (PSiO₂), Fabry-Pérot thin films. Importantly, we show that the thermal oxidation profoundly affects the biosensing performance in terms of greater optical sensitivity, by monitoring the catalytic activity of horseradish peroxidase and trypsin-immobilized PSiO₂. Despite the significant decrease in porous volume and specific surface area, with elevating the oxidation temperature, higher content and surface coverage of the immobilized enzymes is attained. This in turn leads to greater optical stability and sensitivity of PSiO₂ nanostructures. Specifically, films produced at 800°C exhibit stable optical readout in aqueous buffers combined with superior biosensing performance. Thus, by proper control of the oxide layer formation, we can eliminate the aging effect; thus, achieving efficient immobilization of different biomolecules, optical signal stability and sensitivity.

Biography:

Ike Chi is a Materials and Processing Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is the integrated product team (IPT) lead for Skutterudite Technology Maturation (STM) program and the device development task lead for Advanced Thermoelectric Couples (ATEC) program. He is also currently a member of Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) Pyroshock project. He received his PhD from the Johns Hopkins University in 2014. He had several years of experience in fabricating biocompatible ceramics/semiconductors and ultra-high surface area materials. He is also interested in the area of biomedical implants/scaffolds and biosensing.

Abstract:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has upcoming spacecraft missions to Mars (i.e., Mars 2020) and future potential missions (e.g., landers, penetrators) in the planning stages to Mars, Europa, Enceladus and Titan that could require unique biosensor systems to search for critical biomarkers in those environments. In-situ sensing capability under extreme environmental conditions is particularly critical for these current and potential NASA space exploration missions. JPL/NASA’s future planned Europa Clipper multiple flyby mission and a potential Europa lander or the planned Mars 2020 (ESA ExoMars mission) will encounter extreme environmental conditions. This presentation will report on our to-date accomplishments at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on Mars and potential plans in these other extreme deep space environments. Those missions will need ultra-sensitive sensors capable of reliable operation across a very wide range of temperatures. The applications of the highly sensitive sensor developed can include habitat health monitoring for a space station and/or for life detection on an Earth-like planet. In order to help fulfill scientific needs, we have developed a portable and low power in-situ biosensor to detect amino acids using an electrochemical spectroscopy technique. We have also enhanced chemical sensitivity of the sensor to parts-per-billion (ppb) range by integrating novel nanostructured electrode materials with improved surface properties. This novel engineered nanostructured micro-device tailored to sense specific analytes (e.g., amino acids) could be integrated with multiple flight-proven sensing platforms for a wide range of missions. This presentation will report on the progress for validating performance of this multi-platform in-situ bio-sensing device developed and tested by JPL.

Biography:

Sarmiza Elena Stanca has her expertise in electrochemical and optical nanosensors achieved during her research activity at the EPFL Lausanne (Swiss Confederation Fellow), UCD Dublin (Marie-Curie-Fellow), UKJ Jena (Marie-Curie-Fellow), University Babes-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca, Research Centre Karlsruhe and IPHT Jena (DAAD Fellow). She is currently a Scientist at the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Jena.

Abstract:

The plasma membrane regulates the selective interchange of matter between the interior and the exterior of the cell. Understanding this complex process requires knowledge of the plasma membrane´s molecular constituents. Topical reports prove the access to the molecular level of the synthetic membrane by atomic force microscopy (AFM). This technique also permits an electrochemical investigation in the immediate vicinity of the tip. An electrochemical and topographic study of the living cell membrane, by the mean of an AFM-probe integrated amperometric biosensors is employed to localize specific molecules in the natural cellular membrane (Figure 1). Several materials and shapes of the AFM probes integrated in different systems are presented. It is underlined that the selection of control experiment is decisive in achieving accurate findings. The central concern of this study is how to preserve the sensor response accuracy while increasing its precision.

Figure 1: (A) Height, amplitude and phase atomic force micrographs (110 µm x 110 µm) of the cells immobilized on conductive glass; (B) Height, amplitude and phase AFMs in one location of 1.5 µm x 1.5 µm of the plasma membrane; (C) AFM probe integrated sensor signal on two different points: green and red marked on the AFM image (200 nm x 200 nm).

A)

B)

C)

Biography:

Ramla Gary has completed her PhD in 2017 from the Laboratory of Liquid Crystals and Interfaces in Physics department in collaboration with the Biological department at University of Calabria, Italy, and Post-doctoral studies from the same University. She has published more than five papers in reputed journals, and has participated in more than eight international and national conferences.

Abstract:

The gold nanoparticle (GNP) aggregation growth induced by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is studied by laser scanning confocal and environmental scanning electron microscope. As in the investigated case, the direct light scattering analysis is not suitable, we observe the behavior of the fluorescence produced by a dye and we detect the aggregation by the shift and the broadening of the fluorescence peak. Results of laser scanning confocal microscopy images and the fluorescence emission spectra from lambda scan mode suggest, in fact, that the intruding of the hydrophobic moiety of the probe within the cationic surfactants bilayer film coating GNPs results in a Förster resonance energy transfer. The environmental scanning electron microscopy images show that DNA molecules act as template to assemble GNPs into three-dimensional structures which are reminiscent of the DNA helix. This study is useful to design better nano-biotechnological devices using GNPs and DNA.

Biography:

Siddheswar Maikap has completed PhD in Department of Physics and Meteorology at IIT Kharagpur on February, 2003. He is Professor at Chang Gung University, Taiwan, since August 2014. He is the holder of three US patents on memory/bio-sensor, eight US/Taiwan patent files, and has more than 100 SCI journal papers, more than 150 international conference papers, 26 keynote/invited talks, and four best paper awards. His recent research focuses on cross-point resistive switching memory for high-density memory as well as bio-sensor applications

Abstract:

Quantification of pH/H₂O₂ attracts a lot of attentions due to its importance in chemical industries as well as biomedical diagnostic. For the detection of pH and H₂O₂ by using electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) is preferred due to label-free detection, easy fabrication process, and low cost. The NiO_x based sensor has shown good pH sensitivity of 50.25 mV/pH. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy of Ni 2p_3/2 has shown two different oxidation states of NiO_x membrane and those are Ni²⁺ and Ni³⁺ having binding energy 854.5 eV and 856.5 eV, respectively. Existence of these two oxidation states resembles the reduction-oxidation (redox) characteristics of NiO_x membrane toward the electroactive species like H₂O₂. A reference voltage shift of 41 mV is obtained for H₂O₂ concentration of 10 µM and has shown good linearity up to 100 µM for the first time. In addition, the IrO_x membrane shows a record pH sensitivity of 150.4 mV/pH for the first time. This IrO_x sensor demonstrated good catalytic behavior as well as the breast cancer biomarker LOXL2 with a concentration of approximately 150 nM is detected. This IrO_x nano-net sensor demonstrates good catalytic behavior for H₂O₂ reduction with a concentration of 100 fM because the oxidation state changes from Ir³⁺ to Ir⁴⁺, whereas a pure SiO₂ membrane could not sense H₂O₂. The oxidation states are confirmed by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS). Similarly, prostate cancer is also detected by using NiO_x membrane. Therefore, good pH response and redox characteristics of the IrO_x/NiO_x sensing membrane allow it to diagnosis human disease in future.

Biography:

Slobodan J Petricevic completed his BSc in Electrical Engineering (EE) in 1996; MSc in EE in 2001 and; PhD in EE in 2007 at School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia. His field of research is Optoelectronic and Fiber Optic Instrumentation. He has published 18 scientific papers in SCI listed journal with 105 citations and two patents. He is currently employed as an Associate Professor at School of Electrical Engineering since 2008.

Abstract:

Faraday crystals (FC) have been under intense investigation in magnetic field sensing applications for several decades due to several desirable properties, but mostly due to low interaction with magnetic field that does not disturb the field during measurement. FC requires an optical carrier to sense the magnetic field since interaction of the field and light in the crystal affects the state of polarization of the light. Development of production technology for optical fibers for mass use in telecommunication industry has made design of fiber-optic magnetic field sensor (FOMS) based on Faraday crystal an interesting research field. A class of diamagnetic materials known as sillenites of which BiGeO is an interesting example has been used to sense magnetic field in optical sensor in various configuration and adopted to various application. This paper will discuss an extrinsic, fiber optic, magnetic field sensor, designed for direct point magnetic field measurement constructed using Bi₁₂GeO_20­ crystal. A configuration suitable for measurement will be presented together with analyses of the test results obtained from a calibrated magnetic field setup. Compensation of temperature effect on magnetic field measurement will be presented and its implication will be discussed.

Biography:

Umut Kokbas has studied Biotechnology and Biochemistry at Ege University. He is a Research Assistant in Medical Biochemistry department at Cukurova University, working on Thalassemia, which the most common genetic disorder in Turkey. He is also pursuing PhD in the same department.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: β-thalassemia is one of the most monogenic autosomal recessive disorders characterized by defective production of the β-chain of hemoglobin. Definition of the β-globin genotype is necessary for genetic counseling in the carriers, and for predicting prognosis and management options in the patients with thalassemia. DNA-based prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia routinely relies on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. The aim of this study is to develop a new procedure, a DNA-based piezoelectric biosensor, for the detection of β-thalassemia IVSI-110 mutation fetuses cell free DNA from maternal blood, the most common β-thalassemia mutation in Turkey.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Cell-free fetal DNA was taken from maternal whole blood. Bioactive layer was constituted by binding 2-hidroxymetacrilate metacriloamidoscystein (HEMA-MAC) nano-polymers on the electrode’s surface. Single oligonucleotide probes specific for IVSI-110 mutation of β-thalassemia were attached to the nano-polymer. The measurements were executed by piezoelectric resonance frequency which is caused by binding of the cell-free fetal DNA in media with single oligonucleotide probe on the electrode surface. The results were confirmed by the conventional molecular method as ARMS.

Findings: The piezoelectric resonance frequencies obtained by hybridization of the cell free fetal DNA on bioactive layer were found 216±12, 273±6, and 321±9 Hz for the samples of normal β-globin, heterozygote, and homozygote of IVSI-110 mutation, respectively.

Conclusion & Significance: The developed biosensor serves as a specific result to IVSI- 110 mutation. It could accurately discriminate between normal and IVSI-110 mutation samples. Because of low costs, fast results, specificity and high detection/information effectiveness as compared with conventional prenatal diagnosis methods, we can offer this technique as an alternative to conventional molecular methods.

Biography:

Mahamudul Hassan has completed his BSc (honors) and MS in Microbiology from University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Currently, he is persuing his PhD at Murdoch Univesity and he aims to investigate the role of electron mediators in microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) processes.

Abstract:

Electron mediators often play a key role in facilitating microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) to oxygen or insoluble compounds. This study aims at developing a novel electrochemical cell consisting of two closely (250 µm) mounted working electrodes (WEs), hence Twin-WE; to detect and quantify redox active compounds in a micro-scale (304 µL) environment. A fixed voltage window between two WEs using common counter and reference electrodes was maintained and the individual currents of both WEs were monitored. To detect electron mediators, an optimized voltage window (50 mV) was shifted through a defined potential range (between –1 V and +0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl) by changing a fixed voltage step (12.5 mV) after the establishment of steady equilibrium current in both WEs. When the voltage window was maintained at the midpoint potential of a mediator, concurrent oxidation and reduction of the mediator occurred as evidence by the concurrent maximal anodic and cathodic current recorded at the two WEs. The electrical current difference plot against the potential scale enabled the identification (by peak location in the potential scale) and quantification (by peak height) of the mediators tested. Our technique enabled a precise determination of riboflavin, anthraquinone-2, 6-disulfonate (AQDS) and two mediators from a pyocyanin producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (WACC 91) culture both individually and from their mixture. The described Twin-WE cell device is suitable for studying microbial electron transfer processes under a simulated redox environment which prevails in natural habitat. The bio-electrochemical principle underpinning this new method may also be useful for advancing biosensor development.

Biography:

Dr. Stefan Dübel is Full Professor of Biotechnology and Director of the respective department at the Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany. Stefan Dübel serves as a Chair of Biotechnology. He serves as Consultant to biotech and pharma companies. He is initiator of Antibody Factory of the German National Genome Research Network and Editor of the four volumes "Handbook of Therapeutic Antibodies" and other antibody engineering books. He is Co-founder of several biotech companies, most recently of the human antibody provider Yumab GmbH.

Abstract:

The development of biosensors using antibodies for detection of an analyte is frequently hampered by the limited choice of sensor molecules, if antibodies were generated by classical animal immunization. For some antigens or desired fine specificity, no antibodies could be obtained at all. Here, recombinant methods based on a complete in vitro selection pipeline, typically phage display, offer several new opportunities. Antibodies with particular, pre-designed biochemical properties can be selected from the start, as the biochemical milieu during the in vitro selection can be exactly controlled. Further, properties of existing antibodies can be changed or improved in various directions to adapt the sensor molecule to the requirements of a particular biosensor system. We present examples of successful generation of antibodies binding to extremely toxic molecules of antibodies specifically selected to detect very small differences in the antigen structure, matching sandwich pairs, improvement of affinity or stability, and the change of the kinetic binding properties, and successful applications of such recombinant designer antibodies on biosensors.

Biography:

TBA

Abstract:

By 2020, chronic diseases predicted to account for almost three quarters of all deaths worldwide. According to World Health Organization, the elderly population is expected to become 1.2 billion in 2025. This aging problem contributes greatly to chronic diseases like Alzheimer. The major implications of Alzheimer are patient safety and care. The aim of this paper is to develop a tele-health system, based on internet of things (IoT) technology, for monitoring elderly individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s. We describe a working prototype that is able to capture the vital signs and deliver the desired data remotely for elderly staying at home, using wearable ECG wireless sensor. This prototype has been successfully tested to capture data on a 24/7 basis for a number of patients and volunteer physicians at the KFUPM clinic which helps discover severe cases early on. The developed system includes a suit of signal processing algorithms for the detection of severe cases of arrhythmias in elderly patients. In particular, we use wavelets transform to estimate a number of features from ECG traces which are then used in classification. Our results were benchmarked against the standard MIT physiobank. The performance of the system was also tested on simulated data with very satisfactory results, and very positive feedback from users. In addition, an active wearable RFID wristband, with IR room locators are used to monitor the whereabouts of the elderly at room level.

Biography:

Elizabeth Salvo is a MSc candidate in Chemical Biology Graduate Program at Biointerfaces Institute-McMaster University working under Dr. John Brennan. She completed her BSc in Chemical Biology at McMaster University.

Abstract:

Air drying in the natural polymers pullulan and acacia gum has been reported previously as an effective bacterial preservation strategy. The use of this method for the preservation of sensing bacteria is presented here. Colorimetric Escherichia coli bioreporters for tetracycline and arsenate analytes has retained responsivity following air-drying in pullulan sugar. Additionally, the method was used to immobilize sensing cells onto paper substrates, and a screen of various materials was conducted to determine the optimal composition of a drying matrix for responsivity. The viscosity enhancer pullulan, acacia gum, polyvinylpyrrolidine and gelatin were paired with osmoprotectants in some standard bacterial culture mediums. The air-drying process is simpler, less expensive, requires less sophisticated instrumentation, and leads to much higher bacterial survival rates compared to the gold standard method for bacterial preservation, lyophilization. Simplicity of the method paired with applicability to simple platforms such as paper test strips makes this research an important step toward the usage of sensing microbes for the detection of a variety of biologically relevant analytes in the field.

Biography:

M Carmen Bermudo Redondo completed her BSc in Chemistry and in Biochemistry at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain and; Post-graduate certificate in Nutrition and Metabolism. She joined the Interfibio-Research Group as a Junior Technician and was rapidly promoted to the position of Senior Technician, actively collaborating in the fields of electrochemical biosensors. She has published nine papers in peer-reviewed journals. In 2016, she started her PhD in Nanoscience, Materials and Chemical Engineering programme at Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Her main research interests include “Nanobiotechnology and molecular biology, ELISA/ELONA techniques, immuno-sensors and apta-sensors, protein extraction, bio-conjugations and novel detection methodologies”.

Abstract:

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the major protein in plasma synthesized principally in the liver and playing significant roles after it is released in the circulation. Albumin is a very important factor of regulation in the exchange of water between the plasma and the interstitial compartment being largely responsible of the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood. Moreover, it is a protein with a notable ability to bind an extensive range of other small molecules helping in the transport of important substances in the human body such as hormones, fatty acids and drugs. A decrease of albumin level in serum is associated with severe illnesses of the kidney as well as other conditions such as liver disease, malnutrition and extensive burns. Therefore, HSA determination is extremely useful in the diagnosis and treatment of many clinical entities. This research work reports on the development and integration of a novel label-free impedimetric sensor based on a poly (bromocresol purple) surface for the specific detection of HSA. The fabricated sensor was incubated with serum albumin, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to measure the changes in the conductance of the electrode of bromocresol purple (BCP) by reacting with the albumin. In addition, we validated the specificity of the designed sensor to only albumin. Clinical applicability of the sensor was also demonstrated utilizing real serum sample from patients obtaining excellent agreement with the commercial available colorimetric kit. It is expected that the new poly (BCP) sensor will become a successful diagnostic platform for HSA detection in clinical diseases.

Biography:

Ibragimova Sagila Aladdinovna completed her Graduation with honors at State University of Dubna in Department of Chemistry, New Technologies and Materials and defended her Master's thesis entitled “Synthesizing quantum dot conjugates with monoclonal antibodies to glycoprotein gB of Aujeszky's disease virus for immunochromatographic analysis” in 2016. Her scientific work is related to the immunochromatographic analysis using as markers and quantum dots. She is Co-author of four books, has two patents and participated in nine national and international conferences.

Abstract:

There is large number of different markers used in immunochromatographic analysis (IChA). The use of quantum dots markers fluorescent in near infrared (NIR) region is promising in bioassay. We investigated here sandwich method of IChA. Quantum dots (QDs) exhibit strong and narrow band-edge luminescence. Due to their unique optical properties, QDs are perfect fluorescent markers for molecular diagnostics of diseases. It is possible to synthesize QDs with fluorescence in NIR, where background fluorescence of biological samples is low. Highly bright and photo-stable NIR-emitting CdTeSe/CdS/CdZnS QDs were synthesized following the method. QDs were functionalized with COOH-group using thiol-modified polyvinylpyrrolidone. As a model antigen, we used glycoprotein gB of nonpathogenic for human being Aujeszky's disease virus. QDs were covalently conjugated with monoclonal antibodies to glycoprotein gB of the virus using carbodiimide methods. The conjugates were tested on test strips manufactured by following the method. The investigation showed that the optimal excitation wavelength was of 450 nm, where the background luminescence was low and fluorescence peaks of test and control zones test strip were more pronounced. Calibration curve for the quantitative determination of antigens was drawn in a range up to 25 fmol in the sample. Antigen limit of detection is of 4.2 fmol in the sample.

Biography:

Nasrin Afsarimanesh has completed her Bachelor of Engineering in the field of Electronics Engineering in 2006 at Azad University. She then completed her Masters’ degree at Pune University in 2010. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctoral degree at Macquarie University. Her research interest includes “Design and development of smart sensing systems for different bio-medical applications”.

Abstract:

This research proposes a novel real-time, label-free sensing technique for the detection of C-telopeptide of type-I collagen (CTx-I) that can be heelpful in early detection of bone loss. A planar interdigital sensor in conjunction with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the dielectric properties of the test sample. Molecular imprinted polymer (MIP), including artificial recognition sites for CTx-I molecules was synthesized by precipitation polymerization using CTx-I peptide as a template, ethylene glycol methacrylate as the cross-linker and methacrylic acid as a functional monomer. The sensor was coated using the prepared polymer in order to make the sensor selective for CTx-I molecule. Calibration experiments were performed using different known concentration samples and the reference curve was plotted. Complex non-linear least square (CNLS) curve fitting method was used to estimate electrochemical equivalent circuit parameters. The developed system showed a detection limit of 0.1 ng/ml. Two different unknown samples obtained from sheep blood were measured using the developed sensing system and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to validate the results.

Biography:

Marlen Zschätzsch has completed her PhD in the year 2013 from VIB, KU Leuven, Belgium. Currently, she is working as a Postdoc at Technical University of Dresden, Germany. Her current research is focused on Biosensor Assay Development

Abstract:

Antibodies have become an increasingly important part of fundamental research and medical applications. To meet the high market demand of antibodies in the biopharmaceutical sector, industrial manufacturing needs to be achieved by large scale, highly productive and consistent production processes. These are subjected to international guidelines and have to be monitored intensely due to high safety standards for medical applications. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) spectroscopy - a fast, real-time and label-free bio-sensing method represents an interesting alternative to the quantification of antibody concentrations by ELISA during antibody production. Towards the application of in-process monitoring of active and total antibody concentrations in cell culture probes, a SPR assay using a target antibody model system was developed. In order to ensure the subsequent detection of active antibody concentrations, suitable immobilization strategies of the target were identified. A significant decrease of the limit of detection (LOD) was achieved by using an adapted Ni-NTA method compared to the commonly used amine coupling. Furthermore, the system showed LOD in the low ng/ mL range similar to control antibody quantifications by ELISA. Moreover, the detection of total antibody concentrations for discrimination of specific antibody production efficiency was shown. In conclusion, the development of an alternative quantification system to monitor antibody production was accomplished by using SPR with the advantage of low analyte volume, short assay time and biosensor reusability by target-layer regeneration. The technical development of a SPR-based overall system for continuous in-process control with Sierra Sensor GmbH using the established method is ongoing.

Biography:

Oliver Hayden is a Scientist who leads in-vitro diagnostics and bioscience research at Siemens Healthcare GmbH. Before joining Siemens, he was a Visiting Scientist at IBM Research, Switzerland, working on Post-CMOS technologies. He performed Post-doctoral research at Harvard University on nano-photonics. He completed his Doctoral degree in Biochemistry working on “Molecularly imprinted polymers”.

Abstract:

Blood is the most important source for routine in-vitro diagnostic information, such as the concentration level of plasma biomarkers and cells. Only in special cases, such as leukemia diagnostics, functional analysis is performed with fluorescence flow cytometry. However, the rich information content of blood cell functions is not routinely available due to the complexity of today’s diagnostic workflow. Furthermore, sample logistics and sample preparation efforts cause imprecision of the test results. In my presentation, I review the single cell analysis challenges with opaque whole blood as sample matrix and the clinical unmet need for point of care usability. To demonstrate how cell function diagnostics can be achieved at the point of care, I will discuss my research efforts to integrate microfluidic workflows and giant magnetoresistance sensors.

Biography:

Jaewon Kim has completed his Master’s degree at Sungkyunkwan University. Now, he is pursuing PhD in Mechanobiology at the same university.

Abstract:

Cells react variously to external mechanical stimuli such as shear stress from fluid flow or tensile stress caused by substrate deformation. As a result, their structural and functional properties are largely affected by these mechanical stresses, and this phenomenon has been extensively investigated by using cell stretching devices. However, conventional cell stretching devices still have technical limitations to observe such complicated cellular responses. For example, many cell stretching devices are too large to be placed on the stage of microscope and often generate excessive heat and vibration, which are harmful for cells. To overcome these technical limitations, we developed a new type of cell stretching device which can be operated either statically or cyclically by pneumatic force to reduce the generation of excessive heat and vibration. In addition, its size is small enough to be placed on the stage of the microscope. We demonstrate the feasibility of the stretching device for application in cellular experiments by observing the effect of static stretching longitudinally on cell junction and its structural instability in intestinal epithelial cells.

Biography:

Md Eshrat E Alahi has completed his BSc in Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering in 2007 at University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Later, he completed his MSc in Information and Automation Engineering at University of Bremen, Germany in 2013. Currently, he is pursuing PhD in Department of Engineering at Macquarie University, Sydney. His research interests include “Microelectronics, biosensors, and internet of things”. He is working on to develop a sensing array to monitor the water quality in the real time to predict the trend of the quality to improve the healthy water management system. He has two journal articles, five conference proceedings and one book chapter in his short research career.

Abstract:

Nitrate-nitrogen is a naturally occurring ionic compound that is part of nature’s nitrogen cycle. Nitrate-N are readily lost to ground and surface water as a result of intensive agriculture, disposal of human and animal sewage and industrial wastes and the impact of elevated nitrate concentrations on water quality, has been identified as a critical issue facing New Zealand’s future. It is therefore, highly desirable to monitor water quality to facilitate regional councils and central governments to understand trends in concentrations and to develop a healthy water management policy. This research proposed the real-time detection of nitrate-N by employing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique incorporating an interdigital capacitive sensor. Bulk polymerization is used to develop ion imprinted polymer to detect the nitrate ions in aqueous medium. Isobutyl nitrate was used as a template molecule with 1-allyl-2-thioure, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 2, 2′-azobisisobutyronitrile dissolved in acetonitrile for synthesis of imprinted polymer (IIP) for nitrate-N adsorption. Non imprinted polymer was also developed with the similar synthesis method. The developed IIP coating was used on the sensing surface. Sample nitrate-N measurement was done by using an imprinted and non-imprinted coating to see the difference of selective coating. Among the resistive and reactive part of the impedance, the earlier was used to develop a standard curve. The detection range is 0.1-10 mg/L (ppm). Unknown sample was measured with the presence of interfering ions (chlorine, bromine, sulphate and phosphate). The promising results highlight the extraordinary potential to develop low-cost, in-situ sensing system to detect nitrate contamination in surface or ground water.

Biography:

K Nagata is pursuing his BA at Toyo University. Since 2015, he has been working on “Exploitation of butterfly scales for SERS applications under the supervision of Prof. H Takei”.

Abstract:

We will discuss exploitation of naturally-existing nanostructures for bio-analytical techniques, specifically surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Raman spectroscopy is one of the few analytical techniques capable of giving information on chemical structures without need to place the sample in a vacuum, making it well suited for on-site inspection of chemical species as in environmental monitoring, forensic sciences and quality control. There are already a number of commercial vendors selling SERS substrates, but the price needs to be reduced significantly in order to make this technique widely used. Our group has been investigating: Random-MFON structures whereby randomly adsorbed SiO₂ nanospheres are coated with a noble metal and; silver dendrites grown from surface-adsorbed base metal nanoparticles in a AgNO₃ solution. Here, we report on yet another method based on exploitation of scales of butterfly wings. We found that coating of butterfly wing scales, characterized by intrinsic nanostructures, with silver gives rise to a surface capable of showing SERS effects. While effectiveness depends on the butterfly species, precise scales within a single wing, the amount of deposited silver etc., there is a surprising uniformity in SERS signal intensities when these parameters are selected appropriately. By exploiting naturally-existing nanostructures, we can minimize the number of manufacturing steps, thus, reducing the overall cost. We can also obtain basic information on secret as to what makes a particular nanostructure work by selectively altering the underlying nanostrucures. This would give us an option of artificially recreating the crucial nanostructures.

Biography:

H Haraguchi is pursuing her BA at Toyo University. Since 2015, she has been exploring ways to commercialize LSPR sensors under the supervision of Professor H Takei.
 

Abstract:

We describe an LSPR sensor based on cap-shaped noble metal nanoparticles, prepared with a metal film on nanospheres (MFON) method. In contrast to the standard MFON, we use randomly adsorbed nanospheres that significantly facilitate the fabrication process without any sacrifice in performance. Moreover, adding a 20 nm thick Au layer beneath the nanosphere layer was found to lead to a pronounced increase in the absorption peak. The nanosphere diameter is typically 100~150 nm with the top metal layer thickness in the range of 20 nm. These samples are characterized by peaks both in visible and near-IR regimes. The near-IR peak has refractive index dependence greater than 500 nm/RIU, some four times better than the visible peak. While the improved sensitivity is very encouraging, we need to overcome a number of technical challenges before we can implement the sensor for characterization of antibodies as pharmaceuticals; in particular the presence of NaCl leads to an overall drift in the peak wavelength which is attributed to change in nanoparticle morphology. We have solved this problem by coating nanoparticles with a layer of various thiol molecules. Those thiols were either sublimed or vaporized. Vaporized 1-butanethiol was found to be better at protecting the nanosphere layer. We also found that the same set of thiol treatments could stabilize Ag nanoparticles which are normally considered as too reactive for use as a sensor material. We foresee applications such as in-situ characterization of antibodies while still in the fermentation process or immediately prior to use.

Biography:

Sungsoo Na has completed his PhD from Virginia Polytechnic Institute of Technology in USA in 1997 and joined a faculty member of Department of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University in Seoul, Korea in 2001. He is directing BioNanoMechanics Lab and has published more than 90 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

For diagnosis of cancer patients, mutational analysis is necessary. Especially, status of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations is very important factor of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosis. Circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a novel target material as a tool for liquid biopsy that monitors cancer status. In this paper, we detect EGFR mutations of ctDNAs using target-catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) that is hybridized on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The detection is based on colorimetric method that occurs by the aggregation of AuNPs. In detail, three thiolated hairpin DNAs (H1, H2, and H3), catalyst DNA (C), and catalyst complementary DNA (c-C) are introduced to perform the CHA mechanism. Because the EGFR mutation DNA (target) contains very long nucleotides to detect directly, we devise catalyst and catalyst complementary DNAs. Firstly, we attached three hairpin DNAs to the AuNPs (d=20 nm) using thiol binding. We prepared C and c-C DNAs complex solution. When the target DNA is added to the solution containing C and c-C DNAs complex, target DNA displaces the C DNA from the complex. Then H1, H2, and H3 DNAs are activated in the presence of C DNAs and the hairpin DNAs are hybridized. As a consequence, AuNPs are aggregated corresponding to a red-to-blue color change. The result can be measured by naked eyes.

Biography:

Paul Woafo is a Professor of Physics at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. He is holder of a “Doctorat de troisième cycle” and a “Doctorat d’Etat” both obtained in Cameroon in 1992 and 1997 in the field of Mechanics (Nonlinear Dynamics). He is presently managing a research unit on Modeling and Simulation in Engineering, Biomimetic and Prototypes with strong interests in “Electromechanical devices, control of vibrations, and dynamics of semiconductor lasers, optoelectronic oscillators, chaos cryptography, biological physics, biomimetic, and appropriate technologies for development”. He is presently Co-author of more than 200 papers published in peer-reviewed journals. He is member of various scientific organizations at the national and international levels including the Cameroon Academy of Sciences, Cameroon Physical Society, African Physical Society, etc.

Abstract:

This presentation deals with the dynamics, control and synchronization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) powered by nonlinear electronic circuits inspired from biological oscillators (Hindmarsh–Rose like electronic oscillator, Van der Pol oscillator, and other biological pulse-like oscillators). The main goals are the development of new actuation devices and to mimic the action of a natural pacemaker and nerves on a cardiac assist device or artificial heart. In most of the cases, it is found that the MEMS undergo bursting and spiking oscillations resulting from the transfer of the electronic signal. The development of appropriate analog and digital control schemes is carried out and the conditions for synchronization of more than one MEMS are discussed.

Biography:

Katja Hahne studied Human Biology at University of Greifswald. During her Diploma thesis, she dealt with the determination and the influence of peroxidase activity in human saliva and peroxidase containing products. Since 2015, she has been working as a PhD student at Institute of Genetics, Technische Universität Dresden. Within the Rödel group, her research is located in the field of “Biological sensor-actor systems”.

Abstract:

BioSAM, an innovative regional growth core funded by the BMBF, encompasses 11 companies and six research institutions that are focusing on applications of whole cell sensors in biotechnology, environmental and medical technology. Besides their high sensitivity and specificity, whole cell based biosensors indicate the bioavailability of a specific analytes. The project Biogas aims to generate functionalized yeast cells as sensors for the control and optimization of the biogas process. Acetic acid as a critical intermediate was defined as the key analytes. The accumulation of acetic acid indicates an imbalance of the process due to a kinetic uncoupling between acid producers and consumers. Monitoring of acetic acid may thus assist optimizing the biogas process. We here describe the generation and validation of yeast whole cell sensors which modulate the expression of a fluorescent protein depending on the concentration of the analyte. In order to increase the endurance of a monitoring device, in addition to vegetative cells, spores are tested for the monitoring process.

Biography:

Michael Abend completed his Medical doctor degree at University of Cologne; a Professorship in Radiobiology at Technical University Munich and; studied Epidemiology at Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. He worked at different Institutions such as: Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda and National Cancer Institute (Radiation Epidemiology Branch), Rockville, USA. He received several scientific awards and published about 100 peer reviewed scientific papers. He is currently a Deputy Director and Leader of Genomic department at Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology.

Abstract:

We aimed to predict occurrence of hematological acute radiation syndrome (HARS) and its severity based on early detected changes in gene expression. Using peripheral blood from baboons irradiated with 2.5 or 5 Gy (whole body equivalent dose), we examined changes in gene expression occurring one and two days after exposure in relation to unexposed blood samples (pre-exposure samples). Utilizing whole genome microarrays and validating candidate genes with qRT-PCR finally allowed us to identify a set of 29 baboon genes forwarded for cross-species validation using human samples. Within this presentation, we will provide first results on this cross-species validation and share preliminary results on our envisioned 1,000 sample exercise to examine the feature of high-throughput diagnostic of the HARS using gene expression.

Biography:

07 more Plenary speaker slots available

Abstract: