Towards continuous real-time acetylcholine esterase (AChE) monitoring using wearable sensors

该项目是由伦敦帝国理工学院生物工程系Martyn Boutelle教授和Porton Down DSTL Sarah Goodchild博士的研究小组共同获得的ESPRC iCASE奖。有机磷化合物等有毒物质越来越多地用于化学战。我们感兴趣的有毒物质是那些抑制乙酰胆碱，阻止乙酰胆碱分解的物质，乙酰胆碱是一种导致肌肉收缩的神经递质。接触这些有毒物质可能是致命的，但目前还没有已知的经批准的方法来检测伤员体内的这些物质并确定其接触水平。对于低水平的接触，这是一个特别的问题，因为症状不那么严重和明显。该项目旨在解决对可能影响平民和急救人员的特定有毒物质的低水平接触的检测问题。这将通过开发一种涉及电化学传感器和微流体技术的生物传感器来实现。将其与无线电子技术相结合，可以开发出新颖的实时测量设备。与DSTL Porton Down合作的iCASE项目的目的是开发一种可穿戴分析设备，以实时检测低水平的有毒神经毒剂暴露。该设备将使用一种新型的微流控电化学分析系统，在症状出现之前持续评估暴露水平。它的设计目的是保护急救人员免受各种紧急服务的影响。

This project is an ESPRC iCASE award between the research groups of Prof Martyn Boutelle, Imperial College London, Dept of Bioengineering and Dr Sarah Goodchild, DSTL Porton Down. Toxic agents, such as organophosphorus compounds, are increasingly being used in chemical warfare. The toxic agents of interest are those that inhibit AChE, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine (ACh) which is a neurotransmitter that causes muscles to contract. Exposure to these toxic agents can be lethal, however there is currently no known approved method to detect these agents in a casualty and determine their level of exposure. This is particularly a problem for low levels of exposure, where symptoms are not as severe and obvious. This project aims to solve the problem of detection of low level exposure to specific toxic agents that could affect both civilians and first responder personnel. This will be done by developing a biosensor which will involve electrochemical sensors and microfluidic technologies. Combining this with wireless electronics will allow novel real-time measurement devices to be developed.The aim of this iCASE award with DSTL Porton Down is to develop a wearable analysis device to detect in real-time low level exposure to toxic nerve agents. The device will use a novel microfluidic electrochemical assay system to continuously assess the level of exposure before the onset of symptoms. It will be designed to protect first responders from the various emergency services.