biosensor

Mechanical mismatches between implanted electronics and biological tissues can lead to inaccurate readings and long-term tissue damage. Here, we show that functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes twisted into helical fibre bundles that mimic the hierarchical structure of muscle can monitor multiple disease biomarkers in vivo. The flexible fibre bundles are injectable, have a low bending stiffness and display ultralow stress under compression.

There are a couple of funded PhD positions available at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

The topics are, roughly, 

1) Advanced material models and variability

2) Biomimetic sensing and adhesion.

The deadline for applications is Friday, October 29, 2010.  Please send a current CV, a statement of purpose, and transcripts/grades from your undergraduate work (and master's work if you have a master's degree in a related field).

We have recently reported the label-free detection of HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) helicase by using a resonating microcantilever whose surface is functionalized by RNA aptamers as receptor molecules. This work was accepted for publication at Biosensors & Bioelectronics.

Abstract

We have recently reported the piezoelectric thick film microcantilever, which enables the in-situ real-time detection of the protein related to disease (e.g. C reactive protein) in liquid environment. This work was published at APL (click here).

"In-situ real-time monitoring of biomolecular interactions based on resonating microcantilevers immersed in a viscous fluid"