Synthetic Electrochemical Receptors (Sensors) for Non-communicable Diseases

该项目的目的是开发适合医疗保健应用的新型电化学（和潜在的光学）传感器。新型硼酸受体将被开发并固定在固有微孔（PIM）聚合物中，然后再浇铸到石墨烯电极上。更进一步，所采取的方法可能需要石墨烯的“可点击”单元叠氮化物或炔的功能化。然后，适当的受体将被点击到表面进行评估。所得到的传感器将作为固有传感器或通过指示位移方法进行电化学评估。在第一实例中，将制备连接到大疏水性基团（芘）的模型单硼酸体系。该模型系统将与PIM结合使用标准电化学方法评估其与单糖的结合。一旦该PIM：硼酸模型系统的参数建立，将制备更复杂的受体，包括双硼酸系统。这些系统将被评估选择性葡萄糖结合使用电化学方法，如阻抗。一旦建立了基本的电化学分析，该项目将转向使用集成石墨烯公司定制的“石墨烯”电极，以便开发更实用的系统。该项目与巴斯大学在先进材料和设备以及健康生活方面的战略主题保持一致，因为该项目将产生基于复合材料的传感器，用于检测具有生物意义的分析物（即葡萄糖和糖尿病）。这项研究也与工程和物理科学研究委员会的目标有关。本项目将在三位主要导师Tony James教授、Frank Marken教授和Steven Bull教授的指导和监督下进行。James教授将对硼酸受体的设计、合成和应用进行指导。Marken教授在电化学技术方面拥有专业知识，这将是该项目的核心，因为该项目的首要目标是开发一种新型电化学传感器。Bull教授是合成有机化学方面的专家，在合成硼酸衍生传感器的过程中，他将对这个项目产生建设性的影响。

The aim of the project is to develop novel electrochemical (and potentially optical) sensors suitable for healthcare applications. Novel boronic acid receptors will be developed and immobilised into polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), before being cast onto graphene electrodes. Further down the line, the approach taken may require functionalisation of graphene with "clickable" units azide or alkyne. Appropriate receptors will then be clicked onto the surface for evaluation. Resultant sensors will be evaluated electrochemically either as an inherent sensor or via an indicator displacement approach.In the first instance a model mono boronic acid system attached to a large hydrophobic group (pyrene) will be prepared. This model system will then be evaluated in combination with the PIM for its binding to monosaccharides using standard electrochemical methods. Once the parameters for this PIM:Boronic acid model system have been established, more complex receptors will be prepared including bis-boronic acid systems. These systems will then be evaluated for selective glucose binding using electrochemical methods such as impedance. Once the basic electrochemical analysis has been established the project will move to using the bespoke "graphene" electrodes from Integrated Graphene in order to move towards more practically useful systems.The project aligns with the University of Bath, strategic themes in advanced materials and devices and Healthy Living, since the project will result in composite material-based sensors for the detection of analytes of biological significance (i.e. Glucose and diabetes). This research is also relevant to the goals of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.This project will be carried out under the guidance and supervision of three main supervisors: Professor Tony James, Professor Frank Marken and Professor Steven Bull. Professor James will provide guidance on the design, synthesis and application of boronic acid receptors. Professor Marken has expertise in electrochemical techniques, which will be central to this project as the overriding aim is to develop a novel electrochemical sensor. Professor Bull is a specialist in synthetic organic chemistry, who will have a constructive influence upon this project during the synthesis of the boronic acid derived sensors.