Neurotransmitter Measurement: Implementing Aptamers with LAES
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Glen O’Neil
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:15 PM
Description
Our research focuses on developing light-addressable electrochemical sensors (LAES) for quantitatively imaging neurotransmitters. LAES are powerful sensors because they allow us to selectively turn an electrochemical reaction on and off using light as a stimulus in both space and time. This feature may be particularly useful in neuroscientific applications, where measuring neurotransmitter release during cell-cell communication demands high spatiotemporal resolution. One challenge of these sensors is their lack of selectivity for dopamine over other catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine, etc.). To overcome this challenge, we are extending the application of n-Si/Au LAES samples to utilize aptamers, short strands of single-stranded DNA or RNA that bind selectively to target molecules. By attaching these aptamers to LAES along with a redox reporter through a thiol-on-gold bond, we aim to develop sensors capable of selective measurements in vitro. Initial experiments involved attaching compounds such as SH-Fc, mimicking aptamers, and MCH to optimize surface chemistry and fill in the gaps. We test our sensors in HClO4 to confirm attachment and functional performance. Following these successful modifications, we have worked on our incubation times and concentrations of the gold deposition and SH-Fc solutions to enhance sensor functionality. We have also investigated the effects of varying gold deposition concentrations on the sensors' CV, further informing our optimization processes. Our latest experiments have been done to include multiple openings on the sensors' surface, performing the same deposition and incubation times, testing these samples, and observing the current increase with complete illumination of all the openings. When these openings are covered, we see a decrease in our signal, also affirming that we have molecules attached to the surface.
Neurotransmitter Measurement: Implementing Aptamers with LAES
Our research focuses on developing light-addressable electrochemical sensors (LAES) for quantitatively imaging neurotransmitters. LAES are powerful sensors because they allow us to selectively turn an electrochemical reaction on and off using light as a stimulus in both space and time. This feature may be particularly useful in neuroscientific applications, where measuring neurotransmitter release during cell-cell communication demands high spatiotemporal resolution. One challenge of these sensors is their lack of selectivity for dopamine over other catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine, etc.). To overcome this challenge, we are extending the application of n-Si/Au LAES samples to utilize aptamers, short strands of single-stranded DNA or RNA that bind selectively to target molecules. By attaching these aptamers to LAES along with a redox reporter through a thiol-on-gold bond, we aim to develop sensors capable of selective measurements in vitro. Initial experiments involved attaching compounds such as SH-Fc, mimicking aptamers, and MCH to optimize surface chemistry and fill in the gaps. We test our sensors in HClO4 to confirm attachment and functional performance. Following these successful modifications, we have worked on our incubation times and concentrations of the gold deposition and SH-Fc solutions to enhance sensor functionality. We have also investigated the effects of varying gold deposition concentrations on the sensors' CV, further informing our optimization processes. Our latest experiments have been done to include multiple openings on the sensors' surface, performing the same deposition and incubation times, testing these samples, and observing the current increase with complete illumination of all the openings. When these openings are covered, we see a decrease in our signal, also affirming that we have molecules attached to the surface.