FIBEROPTIC PROBE FOR MONITORING ZINC IN VIVO

描述（改编自申请人摘要）：研究者将 建立一个光纤传感器，用于测量生物流体中的Zn 2+， 重点是脑细胞外液。 该锌传感器将 对基础研究和特定的临床研究都是有用的， 脑内锌监测在颅脑损伤患者中的应用 锌诱导神经元死亡的风险。 越来越多的证据表明，突触释放的Zn 2+有助于 缺血、中风、惊厥和（根据 我们的新数据）创伤性头部损伤。 所有这些条件都涉及共同- 释放出大量的锌离子和谷氨酸， 组合. 早期发现这种锌+谷氨酸盐“洪水”， 住院的脑损伤患者可以接受快速治疗， 干预，减少神经元损失。 为了制造锌传感器，研究人员将使用一种新的离子传感器， 为海洋学发展的技术。 这项新技术（“Enzin”）使用 一种用于检测锌的锌依赖性天然酶。 MicroFab的生物芯片和 微光学制造方法将被用来适应这种酶 用于快速、在线、 体内锌的监测。 这项技术的扩展可能会 提供超小型、多元素、多抗原光纤探针。 在第一阶段，他们将建立原理验证、检测限和 校准。 第二阶段将完成一个原型传感器， 在动物身上进行阿尔法测试 拟议商业应用：不可用

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from Applicant's Abstract): The investigators will build a fiber optic sensor for measuring Zn2+ in biological fluids, with emphasis on the extracellular fluid of the brain. This zinc sensor will be useful for basic research as well as for the particular clinical application of monitoring intracerebral zinc in head-injured patients at risk for zinc-induced neuron death. Mounting evidence indicates that synaptically-released Zn2+ contributes to the death of neurons in ischemia, stroke, convulsions, and (according to our new data) traumatic head injury. All of these conditions involve co- release of massive amounts of Zn2+ and glutamate, a cell-killing combination. Early detection of such zinc+glutamate "flooding" in hospitalized brain-injured patients could allow rapid therapeutic intervention, reducing neuron loss. To create zinc sensors, the investigators will use a new ion-sensing technology developed for oceanography. The new technique ("EnZin") uses a zinc-dependent native enzyme for detecting zinc. MicroFab's biochip and micro-optical fabrication methods will be used to adapt this enzymatic method to a minimally-invasive, implantable ion-sensor for rapid, on-line monitoring of zinc in vivo. Extensions of the technology can potentially deliver subminiature, multi-element, multi-antigen fiber optic probes. In Phase I, they will establish proof-of-principle, detection limits, and calibrations. Phase II will conclude with a prototype sensor for pre- market alpha testing in animals. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: NOT AVAILABLE