Presenter: Sara Zachariah, Chemical Engineering, Global Public Health Scholars
Over the summer, I worked in a biotechnology and biomolecular research lab, developing sensors that are to be used in medical devices. The project I was assigned focused on the creation of a sensor that could detect a certain antibody that is present in humans when liver failure begins to occur. The key component of these detectors is the use of carbon nanotubes, a sheet of carbon atoms in a honeycomb pattern rolled into a cylinder. Throughout these microscopic tubes, free electrons move, creating a current that can be measure. Based on a planned scientific procedure, I attached certain antigens to these carbon nanotubes. The sensor is established when antibodies from a human sample attaches to the antigens and changes the current inside the tube, which is then measured. These nanotubes are mixed into a solvent to create an ink. I made multiple ink batches, all with different concentrations of nanocarbon tubes. I specifically tested different experimental conditions to optimize the efficiency of the sensors.
Even with the complex scientific methods you so eloquently describe, you end with the importance of equity in the distribution of global medical resources. How has this experience influenced your plans for the future?
Your presentation was really interesting! I've always been interested in nanotechnology being applied to anything, health especially, given its wide range of applications. And this work is also a bit personal for me, since I had kidney problems a long time ago. How early do you think detection would be for kidney failure using this carbon nanotube--and furthermore, do you think this technology could be broadened to detect general problems with the kidney?
Hi! I appreciate your interest in my practicum project! So, the mechanism can change depending on the materials being used and the method of sensing. Since we had not faced this part of the project yet, keep in mind changes can be made to this concept. However, generally the antigen that is binding to the antibody on the carbon nanotube is carrying a charge. Commonly it is a negative charge for proteins in physiological pH conditions. When the charged antigen approaches and binds to the carbon nanotube, it applies an electric field to the nanotube. Since carbon nanotubes are semi-conductors, this applied electric field will influence the current and nanotube’s overall conducting properties. An electrostatic gating effect can happen where…
I really enjoyed your presentation on carbon nanotube research! Being a Bioengineer, it's always fascinating to see how new technology is being employed to serve a wide variety of treatments and detection methods within the body. I was really interested in how widespread you believe this treatment can applied, and how because of this, a lot more people can access medical resources. I was wondering how the attachment of the human sample changes the current inside the tube, is there some sort of biological mechanism dictating the direction or signal of the free electrons?