Chemical Sensing

阿尔加研究计划专注于开发基于纳米颗粒的生物传感器和细胞探测器。纳米颗粒凭借其独特的性质和较小的尺寸代表了生物传感领域的一个新的前沿。我们寻求在开发新的生物分析工具时利用这些特征，这些工具可以(1)在患者护理点测量多个临床相关生物标记物的面板；(2)通过实时可视化和定量测量来阐明细胞中的复杂生化过程；以及(3)提供同时的诊断和治疗用途。我们目前的重点是利用发光明亮的量子点纳米颗粒作为检测蛋白酶的平台。与这些酶相关的异常与许多疾病有关。

The Algar Research Program focuses on developing nanoparticle-based biosensors and cellular probes. Nanoparticles represent a new frontier in biosensing by virtue of their unique properties and small size. We seek to exploit these characteristics in developing new bioanalytical tools that can (1) measure panels of multiple, clinically relevant biomarkers at points of patient care; (2) elucidate complex biochemical processes in cells through real-time visualization and quantitative measurements; and (3) provide concurrent diagnostic and therapeutic utility. Our current focus is on harnessing brightly luminescent quantum dot nanoparticles as platforms to detect protease enzymes. Irregularities associated with these enzymes are implicated in many diseases.