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Award details
Frequency tagging for in vivo anaylsis of metabolites
Reference
BB/D001366/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor
Professor Christopher Lowe
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution
University of Cambridge
Department
Institute of Biotechnology
Funding type
Research
Value (£)
263,645
Status
Completed
Type
Research Grant
Start date
30/11/2005
End date
29/11/2008
Duration
36 months
Abstract
There is a need for sensors to be developed in order to provide data on the concentrations of key biomolecules in vivo in real-time. Acoustic sensors offer significant advantages in view of their simplicity and their ability to respond to a variety of biological interactions involving DNA, proteins, haptens, antigens, ions and metabolites. The magnetic acoustic resonant sensor (MARS) is one type of acoustic device that actuates resonant plates by remotely generated electromagnetic waves, such that the electronics of the detection system can be separated from the device itself. This system has recently been developed to operate at multiple and hypersonic frequencies within the MHz-GHz range. This proposal aims to extend the characteristics of MARS by creating a new approach termed remote acoustic spectroscopy (RAS) by: (1) reducing the size of the sensing element to micron dimensions and making it accessible to electromagnetic interrogation over greater distances (cm-m) such that it can operate as a truly remote in vivo sensing element in real-time that is unique in requiring no antenna, metallization or circuitry; (2) providing a 1000-fold enhanced acoustic sensitivity associated with element miniaturisation; (3) allowing deep penetration into tissue samples since the acoustic wave is actuated in situ by the readily transmissible electromagnetic wave and can thus generate spectroscopic measurements in the MHz-GHz range in locations not usually accessible to acoustic interrogation, and (4) developing the system into a multi-analyte or array configuration using a frequency tagging procedure, in which small element sensors responsive to particular target analytes resonate at defined and readily differentiateable frequencies. Whilst this approach is expected to be generic for most analytes of interest, the proposal is directed specifically to the monitoring of metabolite concentrations using metabolite-responsive hydrogel coating son the quartz microcrystals.
Summary
There is a need for sensors to be developed in order to provide data on the concentrations of key biomolecules in vivo in real-time. Acoustic sensors offer significant advantages in view of their simplicity and their ability to respond to a variety of biological interactions involving DNA, proteins, haptens, antigens, ions and metabolites. This present proposal builds on a simple acoustic format, the magnetic acoustic resonator sensor (MARS), which uses remotely generated electromagnetic waves to excite acoustic vibrations in quartz plates. In this case, the device itself is inexpensive and all the excitation and recording electronics are located off-device, thus making the whole system disposable. This project aims to miniaturise the vibrating plates down to sub-mm dimensions and move the activating instrumentation to a distance of several cm in order to create a truly remote sensing system, the key element of which requires no antenna, metallisation or circuitry, whilst still maintaining its ability to operate at multiple frequencies and in the GHz range. Such systems may find application for making measurements in subcutaneous or immersed liquids in a variety of biomedical, sports, military and industrial circumstances.
Committee
Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
Research Topics
Technology and Methods Development
Research Priority
X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative
X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme
X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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