Hybrid Graphene-Metallic Optofluidic Nanostructures for the Point-of-Care Detection of Illicit Drugs and Biological Agents

用于非法药物和生物制剂即时检测的混合石墨烯-金属光流控纳米结构

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04292
• 负责人: Escobedo, Carlos
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=714761
• 关键词: Hybrid; Graphene; Metallic; Optofluidic; Nanostructures

There is a timely need in Canada for sensing technologies that allow ultrasensitive, rapid and in situ detection of chemical and biological agents such as bioterrorism agents, explosives, or illicit drugs and pathogenic bacteria in bodily fluids. There is no commercial technology capable of detecting those analytes, in situ, and in timely fashion. Current detection technologies require costly and labor-intensive procedures that prevent potential users, such as law enforcement officers, (para)medics or soldiers, to perform detection at the point of use. Metallic nanostructures that support surface plasmons, such as metallic nanohole arrays, have demonstrated to be great contenders as biosensors, holding distinct merits for the label-free detection of bio-molecular interactions. We have very recently developed optofluidic nanostructured sensors based on metallic flow-through nanoholes, that enable the detection of ovarian cancer biomarkers and uropathogenic E. coli in humane urine - the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTI) - at concentrations below the clinical threshold for UTI diagnosis. Despite their potential as biosensors, three major obstacles limit the performance of optofluidic nanostructures as biosensor: (i) poor mechanical stability in flow-through operation, (ii) the use of metals with subpar photonic characteristics to build the nanostructures, and (iii) their operation is limited to the visible range of the spectrum. Recent scientific breakthroughs, published in Science and Nature Photonics, have demonstrated that graphene can support surface plasmons at mid-infrared and THz frequencies. In addition, graphene also owns outstanding mechanical properties. The proposed research aims to develop a new generation of hybrid graphene-metallic nanostructured biosensors with superior properties in terms of performance and sensitivity, through three distinct objectives: (1) the exploration and development of hybrid graphene-metallic optofluidic nanostructured (bio)sensors; (2) investigation of structure-performance relations that correlate key optical and mechanical characteristics of the nanostructures with consequential sensitivity in flow-through conditions; and (3) investigate the utilization of N-heterocyclic carbenes as functionalization agents to achieve detection of bacteria in acidic pH media (pH < 2) and illicit drugs (i.e. opioids). These sensors will advance the state-of-the-art by providing the following advantages: (a) the use of metals with superior photonic properties (other than gold); (b) better mechanical stability and operation at THz frequencies; and (c) enhanced sensitivity by facilitating the active concentration of analyte, such as charged molecules, proteins and bacteria. The program will train 3 PhD, 3 MSc and 4 undergraduate students, who will acquire theoretical, experimental and computational modelling skills used in the (bio)sensing, medical diagnostics and analytical chemistry R&D industry.

加拿大及时需要传感技术，以便能够超灵敏、快速和就地检测化学和生物制剂，如生物恐怖主义制剂、爆炸物或非法药物和体液中的病原菌。目前还没有能够原位及时检测这些分析物的商业技术。当前的检测技术需要昂贵且劳动密集型的程序，这会阻止潜在用户（例如执法人员、医务人员或士兵）在使用时进行检测。 支持表面等离子体激元的金属纳米结构，如金属纳米孔阵列，已被证明是生物传感器的有力竞争者，在生物分子相互作用的无标记检测方面具有独特的优点。我们最近开发了基于金属流通纳米孔的光流体纳米结构传感器，能够检测卵巢癌生物标志物和尿路致病性大肠杆菌。大肠杆菌在人类尿液中-细菌负责尿路感染（UTI）-在浓度低于临床阈值的UTI诊断。 尽管它们具有作为生物传感器的潜力，但三个主要障碍限制了光流体纳米结构作为生物传感器的性能：（i）流通操作中的机械稳定性差，（ii）使用具有低于标准光子特性的金属来构建纳米结构，以及（iii）它们的操作限于光谱的可见范围。最近发表在《科学》和《自然光子学》上的科学突破表明，石墨烯可以支持中红外和太赫兹频率的表面等离子体。此外，石墨烯还具有优异的机械性能。 本研究旨在开发新一代的石墨烯-金属纳米结构杂化生物传感器，该传感器在性能和灵敏度方面具有上级特性，通过三个不同的目标：（1）探索和开发石墨烯-金属纳米结构杂化光电流（生物）传感器;（2）结构勘测─将纳米结构的关键光学和机械特性与流通条件下的相应灵敏度相关联的性能关系;以及（3）研究利用N-杂环卡宾作为功能化试剂来实现在酸性pH介质（pH < 2）中的细菌和非法药物（即阿片类药物）的检测。这些传感器将通过提供以下优点来推进最新技术水平：（a）使用具有上级光子特性的金属（除金之外）;（B）更好的机械稳定性和在太赫兹频率下的操作;以及（c）通过促进分析物（诸如带电分子、蛋白质和细菌）的活性浓缩来增强灵敏度。 该计划将培养3名博士，3名硕士和4名本科生，他们将获得用于（生物）传感，医疗诊断和分析化学研发行业的理论，实验和计算建模技能。