ESR3 – Nanobiosensors for pathogen analysis

Faculty of Maths & Physical Sciences, University of Leeds (UK)
This is translational project that focuses on fabricating biosensors and accompanying microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices in which the biosensors will be deployed. Construction of biosensors, both optical and electrochemical, will utilise host factor proteins or their fragments as bioreceptors to sense specific autotransporter adhesins (TAAs). The subsequent readout of the binding event will be by electrochemical impedance (e.g. Caygill et al., 2012; Biosens. Bioelectr. 32, 104-110) or lanthanide fluorescence from up-conversion nanoparticle (Guller et al., 2015; Nano Research 8, 1546-1562) or lanthanide tagged Affimers (Tiede et al., 2017; eLife 2017; 6:e24903) which are synthetic binding proteins. Design of the bioreceptor proteins will be critically informed by the output from other ESR projects, e.g. ESR1. Biosensors developed in this project will be integrated into microfluidic devices for ease of control over small sample volumes, automation of fluid handling and integrated detection methods. The post holder will receive training in the design and fabrication of microfluidic devices for integration with biosensors to produce bespoke, adhesin-based diagnostic platforms. The project will involve secondments to our network partners Centre for Nanotechnology and smart materials (CeNTI) (Portugal) and the University of Hull (UK).