(Invited) Frequent Monitoring of Bio-Analytes Using Electrochemistry and Aptamers

Frequent monitoring of bio-analytes is foundational for the success of biosensors for point-of-care diagnostics, infectious disease surveillance, and real time health monitoring. To enable frequent monitoring in the field or near the patient, there is a need to develop devices that are both simple and rapid. Our work has been focused on developing new techniques that combine electrochemistry with aptamers for monitoring aptamer target binding in real time without reagent addition or washing. More specifically, we have developed three strategies for real time monitoring of the interaction between aptamers and targets using electrochemical readout. Our first strategy is focused on catalytic aptamers or DNAzymes that are designed for in-field detection of bacteria in real time using microfluidic systems. Our second strategy is designed for wash-free and single pot detection of viruses in real time. Our third strategy uses structure switching aptamers for monitoring small molecules in vivo using microneedle technology. Importantly, we have demonstrated reagent-free and wash-free detection methods for the surveillance of drinking water supplies for bacterial infections, point-of-care diagnostics of respiratory viruses, and monitoring of glucose and lactate in the body.