Development of Highly Sensitive Fluorescence System for Continuous Glucose Measurement

该项目的目标是开发一种强大的荧光系统，用于连续监测血糖水平。糖尿病是一种由代谢异常引起的慢性病。如果不适当地控制血糖水平，这种疾病可能会导致并发症，甚至死亡。到目前为止，数以百万计的患者每天要刺破手指进行4-5次血糖检测。连续血糖监测(CGM)被认为是改善患者生活质量、减轻医疗系统沉重负担的最重要的设备之一。张进开发了一种纳米结构荧光共振能量转移(FRET)生物探针，用于测量水中的葡萄糖水平。与其他商品化的葡萄糖传感器相比，纳米结构的FRET传感器可以提供更准确的结果，因为它依赖于葡萄糖水平的变化而产生双重荧光信号，而不需要植入发射器或电源。为了进一步开发可在可见光-近红外范围内连续测量的传感器，张博士的研究团队，包括一名博士生和一名研究助理，将与加拿大PTI公司的研究人员合作，修改荧光系统，以检测新的纳米结构生物探针。我们将对测量参数进行统计分析，以放大荧光纳米材料对不同浓度葡萄糖的体外响应。此外，还将开发一种计算机控制的图像处理方法，以实现连续测量。这一成功将使PTI的高性价比荧光系统能够有效地检测纳米结构FRET传感器，这通常需要非常昂贵的仪器，因此，加强了PTI在全球荧光系统市场的领先地位。我们预计，这一成功的结果将增强PTI在荧光系统领域的竞争力，并对加拿大的医疗保健技术和制造业产生重大影响。

The goal of this proposed project is to develop a robust fluorescence system for continuously monitoring glucose level. Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by abnormal metabolism. Without proper management of glucose level, this disease can cause complications, and even death. To date, millions of patients have to prick their fingers for blood glucose testing 4-5 times per day. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is regarded as one of the most essential devices to improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the heavy burden on the healthcare system. Jin Zhang has developed a nanostructured fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) bio-probe for measuring the glucose level in aqueous. Compared to other commercialized glucose sensors, the nanostructured FRET sensors can provide more accurate result due to the dual fluorescent signals depending on the changes of glucose level without implanting a transmitter or a power source. To further develop the sensor for continuous measures in a visible-near infrared range, Dr. Zhang's research team, including a PhD student and a Research Associate will work with researchers from PTI, a Canadian company, to modify the fluorescence system for detecting new nanostructured bioprobes. We will statistically analyze the measurement parameters to amplify the responses of fluorescent nanomaterials to different concentrations of glucose in vitro. In addition, a computer controlled image processing method will be developed to achieve the continuous measurement. The success will enable PTI's cost-efficient fluorescent system to detect nanostructured FRET sensor efficiently, which normally requires very expensive instruments, and, therefore, strengthen the leading position of PTI in the global market of fluorescence system. We expect that the successful results will enhance PTI's competitiveness in the field of fluorescence systems, and have a significant impact on Canada's point-of-care technique and manufacturing industry.