A New Tool for Biochemical Analysis: Combining Enzyme-Responsive Gels with LCD Detection

细胞分泌一系列酶，使它们能够改变环境，促进生长。然而，这些分泌物中存在的破坏或改变周围结缔组织的特定酶可能是疾病的预后标志物，例如透明质酸酶，这是临床上可靠的膀胱癌标志物。在这项建议中，我们描述了一种检测生化事件的新方法：将酶敏感凝胶与液晶显示器相结合。这项提议是一个概念上的飞跃，建立在我们开发的一种独特的酶传感系统的基础上，该系统将液晶显示(LCD)技术(如LCD计算器屏幕中的液晶显示技术)与易于制造的生物分析物表面相结合。我们的新概念利用了酶敏感凝胶的三维和生物兼容的“半湿”性质；这种凝胶是生物分析物的储存库，为LCD提供机械稳定性(提供坚固的便携式传感器)，同时还支持传感器上致病细胞的生长。这些透明的酶反应凝胶将为构建在透明塑料芯片上的LCD阵列提供机械强度；使用这些芯片将使LCD肉眼可见。作为对致病细胞分泌的反应，这些设备将显示亮和暗LCD的图案，这将描绘酶活性并揭示疾病的细胞标记。我们的系统将使致病酶和细胞的鉴定更快、更容易、更便宜，与现有技术相比具有优势，因为它将在实验室外提供快速结果，而不需要复杂的仪器。

Cells secrete a range of enzymes that allow them to modify their environment and facilitate their growth. However, the presence in these secretions of particular enzymes that breakdown or modify surrounding connective tissue can be prognostic markers of disease, e.g. the enzyme hyaluronidase, which is a clinically reliable marker for bladder cancer. In this proposal we describe a new methodology for the detection of biochemical events; combining enzyme-sensitive gels with liquid crystal displays. This proposal is a conceptual jump that builds upon a unique enzyme-sensing system we have developed, which combined liquid crystal display (LCD) technology (as found in LCD calculator screens) with an easy-to-manufacture bioanalyte surface. Our new concept exploits the three-dimensional and biocompatible 'semi-wet' nature of enzyme-sensitive gels; the gel is a reservoir of bioanalyte that provides the LCDs with mechanical stability (giving robust, portable sensors), whilst also supporting the growth of disease-causing cells on the sensor. These transparent enzyme-responsive gels will lend mechanical strength to arrays of LCDs constructed on transparent plastic chips; using these chips will make the LCDs visible to the naked eye. In response to secretions from disease-causing cells, these devices will show patterns of light and dark LCDs, which will profile enzymatic activity and reveal cellular markers of disease. Our system will make the identification of disease-causing enzymes and cells much faster, easier and cheaper, having the advantage over existing techniques in that it will give rapid results outside the laboratory without needing complex instrumentation.