Fluorescence Sensor Probe for Glucose Sensing

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease, which currently afflicts some 16 million in the US and 100 million people worldwide. In the US, diabetes and its associated complications are the seventh leading cause of death. Effective management of diabetes requires regular measurement of blood sugar, and improvements in glucose sensing technology will enable superior care and regulation of diabetic blood sugar. The focus of this research project is to develop and characterize a minimally invasive near-infrared fluorescence affinity sensor designed for transcutaneous glucose monitoring in interstitial fluid in subdermal skin tissue. The concept of the proposed implant device is one of the most promising technologies currently pursued in glucose sensor research. Significant long-term performance tests have been previously conducted by one of the principle investigators demonstrating that the glucose-sensitive protein Concanavalin A, the primary component of the sensor, has the capability to stay functional at body temperature for over one year. These stability test data are pivotal for ensuring reliable and accurate performance of the fluorescence affinity sensor over many months. We plan to develop, build, and test a small subcutaneously implantable sensor that will allow rapid and painless glucose sensing based on fluorescence measurements through the skin. The sensor will be specifically designed to be compatible with skin optics and will be amenable to inexpensive instrumentation. In this work, we will test the sensor in vitro and preliminarily in vivo in a rat model. The anticipated results of this study will be a miniaturized, rugged, biocompatible prototype of the affinity sensor for glucose monitoring that remains functional for at least 4 weeks in the hairless rat model with a low re-calibration frequency of approximately once a week.