Polymer Microgels for Sensing Applications

Our effort is focused on the design, synthesis and characterization of several classes of new polymers based on soft hydrogels including core-shell microspheres as biosensing materials. Through physico-chemical studies, we intend to gain a better understanding of the structure-property relationships of the polymers and of the specific interactions between the hydrogel-support systems and the agents to be detected, especially the interaction and interference related to the pragmatic materials applicability. We have already carried out a test of the principle with the model receptor-ligand systems chosen. We will focus on ligand-receptor molecular recognition interactions since this will serve as the basis for immunoassay and antigen sensing devices. With our expertise in the synthesis of hydrogels, biochemistry and device design and fabrication, the project should be feasible within the term of the project. The ultimate goal of the proposed project is to develop highly sensitive molecular recognition-based sensors that selectively detect targets and provide a rapid quantitative readout. Among the factors to be considered for the development of the biosensors are selectivity, sensitivity, robustness and sample preparation.