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Project

High-affinity, capacitive-based sensor, using natural and synthetic recognition elements for trace detection of small toxic compounds in liquid matrices.

Assay response time is of crucial importance for continuous monitoring of environmental
pollutions or clinical analysis of human samples. The goal of this project is to develop a new
sensing device which is superior to the current commercially available techniques in terms of
velocity, simplicity, sensitivity (up to pico-range), cost, potential for miniaturization, and on-site
monitoring. This device will be used for sampling and monitoring small toxic compounds in a
variety of liquid matrices.
First, a sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) will be designed for tracing
amphetamine, its precursors and derivatives, in water systems. These “synthetic antibodies” are
favoured compared to their natural equivalents due to their ability to function in harsh conditions
of pH, temperature, presence of algae, etc., present in various aqueous samples. Secondly, the
focus lays on urinary biomarkers of toxic food contaminants, called mycotoxins. The goal is to
develop a sensor based on different natural monoclonal antibodies with high sensitivity which
makes multi-mycotoxin analysis possible.

Date:1 Jan 2017 →  31 Dec 2020
Keywords:capacitive sensor, natural/synthetic recognition elements, small toxic compounds