Multiplexed point-of-use antibiotics monitoring delivered by system-integrated electrochemical transducers based on metal-organic frameworks

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Sven Ingebrandt
• Subject Area: Microsystems ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology ; Polymer Materials
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 445865083

An excessive use of antibiotics has led to their serious contamination in different water bodies and nutrition sources. Problems associated with improper use of antibiotics such as antibiotic resistance etc., become even more critical when indiscriminated use of prohibited antibiotics is involved. This collaborative work program aims at developing integrated miniaturized sensor systems specialized towards real-time monitoring of trace concentrations of prohibited antibiotic substances e.g. Nitrofurans and Chloramphenicol and last resort antibiotics in food and water. The technology development involves taking advantage of novel metal-organic frameworks (MoF) as high performance transducer elements, with tunable selectivity and sensitivity towards target analytes by nanoscale engineering of material properties. Novel two-dimensional MoF transducer interfaces with high specificity towards candidate antibiotics will be modelled, fabricated and their analytical performance characterized. The first project part offers then basic science results for future development of practical point-of-care sensor systems. Optimized MoF interfaces will be then system-integrated as arrays of nanoscale electrochemical devices and sensor chips realized for point-of-care deployment. Amperometric and potentiometric readout mechanisms for sensor readout will be investigated and miniaturized analytical prototypes developed with near-industry requirements. Validation of prototype’s sensor performance will be carried out in field circumstances, focusing towards potential for sensor-network integration within industry 4.0 and personalized healthcare frameworks.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: India
• Partner Organisation: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) ; Ministry of Science and Technology
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Akash Deep, Ph.D.; Dr. Kamlesh Kumar