C.T.S.G. Alembic

Sensing of small molecules and disease biomarkers

Detection of small molecules and disease biomarkers has been a challenge in environmental and bio-sensing for years. The detection of these molecules is important for both healthcare and industrial applications. Sensing is a growing field of research that could help in solving this challenge. Key focus is on sensitivity and selectivity of the developed sensors.

We are looking for a Bachelor of Master student to help in furthering research on the sensing of small molecules or disease biomarkers using one or more of the following questions as a basis for a research topic:

1. What is the smallest molecule we can sense using novel and benchmark techniques?
2. Can we adapt the surface chemistry to optimize sensitivity and selectivity, also tailored for a particular sensing technique?
3. What is the concentration range the target molecule can be measured in?
4. What is the lowest concentration at which we can detect a biomarker?
5. What is the effect of the receptor density on the sensing of the target?
6. Can we measure a target in complex media, such as blood serum, milk or cell medium?
7. What is the binding mechanism of the target to the receptor?
8. What are the advantages of different receptor types, such as antibodies, enzymes and DNA?

These questions can guide future applications of these techniques and optimize the sensing of important small molecules and disease biomarkers in healthcare and industry as well as answer fundamental research questions about their binding.

The project will teach: (i) different sensing techniques depending on the topics chosen, such as fluorescence microscopy, QCM-D, interferometry; (ii) different surface chemistries to create the sensing layer, depending on target, transducer and material type; (iii) different receptor-target combinations and their aspects of molecular recognition

Contact info:

Supervisor:
Jurriaan Huskens (j.huskens@utwente.nl)

Daily Supervisors:

Amarna Pels (a.s.pels@utwente.nl)

Jicheng Li (j.li-8@utwente.nl)

Samer Aphrham (s.aphrham@utwente.nl)