Synthesis of a FRET-based Polymeric Sensor Array Library for Discriminating Proteins in Serum Using Diverse Amino Acid Recognition Elements

Presenter

Colby Alves

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Vincent Rotello, Department of Chemistry, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 4, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A64, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 4 (A61-A80) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Array-based sensing offers an exciting approach to biochemical sensing with promising biomedical applications. Through the information-rich output of simultaneous binding events between sensor and analytes, array-based sensing replicates the olfactory system and, consequently, has coined the name chemical nose. Array-based sensors utilize a hypothesis-free approach to discern subtle changes within a complex mixture, such as serum. Serum protein concentrations and composition imbalances are directly associated with disease states; hence this sensing platform emerges as a potent diagnostic tool. Our lab previously developed a synthetic polymer sensor array capable of detecting liver fibrosis disease states from patient serum samples. While this array could accurately distinguish non-fibrotic patients from patients with liver fibrosis, it demonstrated limited sensitivity resulting in clinically relevant misclassifications especially between mild-moderate and severe fibrotic patient serum samples. To address this challenge, we propose incorporating amino acid-based recognition elements into our sensor array, leveraging their role in protein-protein interactions. By engineering a library of oxanorbornene-based polymeric sensors functionalized with diverse amino acid recognition elements, we aim to enhance cross-reactivity and sensitivity for discriminating subtle variations in complex media. This innovative approach holds promise for improving the accuracy and reliability of disease diagnosis, particularly in conditions like liver fibrosis where early detection is critical for effective treatment.

Keywords

array-based sensing, polymer chemistry, diagnostic, biomedical

Research Area

Chemistry and Materials Science

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