/Continuous electrochemical detection of biomarkers

Continuous electrochemical detection of biomarkers

Bachelor projects/internships - Leuven | About a week ago

Dive into the world of biosensors that can revolutionize modern healthcare

Are you passionate about diving into the world of biosensors that can revolutionize modern healthcare ? Join our research project to develop a compact, handheld or wearable biosensor than can enable a broad range of applications in many fields such as health care, bio manufacturing, food industry or environmental monitoring. At present, a limited number of compact devices are on the market that can monitor the actual concentration of physiologically relevant molecules. The best-known are glucose sensors for diabetes management and pulse oximeters for blood oxygen determination. However, no such device exists that can perform continuous and non-invasive detection of protein biomarkers in real-time.

To bridge this gap, new concepts are being explored in our lab leading to the development of innovative biosensing and lab-on-chip technologies. Electrochemical biosensors are ideally suited for continuous biomolecular analysis because of their high operational simplicity, low cost and relatively fast response times. However, under physiological conditions, their applicability is limited due to charge screening effects. Therefore, bioreceptors with redox-active molecules, acting as ‘reporters’, are incorporated on the electrode substrate to enhance the sensitivity. As a student researcher, you will work together with experienced scientists and engineers and learn essential skills in both surface functionalization and electrochemistry. Hands-on experience will be gained in the optimization of the different assays for immobilization of the bioreceptor layer using Surface Plasmon Resonance. Electrochemical measurements (such as Square Wave Voltammetry, Amperometry, impedimetry...) will be performed to further characterize the interactions of the target analyte with the substrate.

Therefore, we are looking for students with a background in either chemistry, biology, bio engineering, biomedical engineering or materials science who want to apply their knowledge for the development of the next generation of biosensors.  



Type of project: Internship, Thesis, Combination of internship and thesis

Required language: English, Dutch

Required background: chemistry, biology, bio engineering, biomedical engineering or materials science

Mentor: Rita Vos

Manager: For more information or for application, please contact Karolien Jans (Karolien.Jans@imec.be)

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