Contact:

Noemi Rozlosnik, DTU-Nanotech, (noemi.rozlosnik@nanotech.dtu.dk)

Detection of protein misfolding, for example amyloid fibril formation, is a topic of growing importance. The misfolding process is strongly associated with several devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Our aim is to develop a simple and inexpensive electrochemical biosensor for differential detection of amyloid proteins in native or in fibril state based on an all-polymer eletrochemical microsystem.

Surface characteristics for biosensor applications require both reducing nonspecific biofouling and enhancing specific recognition. Especially in the protein-chip technology, immobilization of proteins in proper orientation is necessary to maintain the biological activities.

The goal of the project:

This project aims to bind and detect different amyloid antibodies to a polymer microelectrode system, and characterize the properties with different methods. This will be the first step in the biosensor development.

Methods:

Polymer electrodes:

• Made from tosylate doped PEDOT (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) using lithography for micropatterning
• Substrate: made from TOPAS (polymer)

Antibody immobilization:

• Enhanced binding to the electrodes through protein G

Detection, validation:

• Electrochemistry: Impedance spectroscopy
• Surface properties: Atomic Force Microscopy
• Antibody activity: Confimation by ELISA

Literature:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductive_polymer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibodies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyloid_beta

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELISA

http://www.gamry.com/App_Notes/EIS_Primer/EIS_Primer_2007.pdf