Dual Modal Ultra-Sensitive Label-Free Biosensing Devices for the Detection of Biologically Critical Metal Ions

发光稀土上转换纳米磷光体（UCNPs）作为一类重要的纳米颗粒迅速出现，在生物成像和医学中具有潜在的应用，其中包括用于太阳能电池和安全油墨的染料。这些纳米颗粒能够使用手持式激光指示器将近红外（nIR）光转换为可见光，并且在成像中提供了比传统光源更大的希望，因为生物组织和材料对该光学窗口中的辐射更加透明，并且该机制允许获得高分辨率的3D图像。在化学，生物学和物理学的界面上，该项目将涉及制造一类新的功能化纳米颗粒，附加工程肽和蛋白质，通过调制荧光输出来识别或“感知”低水平的生物毒性金属离子（包括锕系离子）三维。这些酶生物传感器将被进一步加工以制造可行的设备（基于光学环形谐振器和倏逝波波导技术）通过福斯特共振能量转移（FRET）和折射率（RI）变化对有毒金属离子进行快速、可调谐和特定的双模检测。这是“探索新的工作方式”议程的关键驱动力。拟议的研究涉及重要的生物科学技能，如蛋白质工程，FRET技术和生物传感，这些目前都是风险领域。这些领域的培训将解决缺乏熟练科学家的问题，这对维持英国的人才库至关重要。学生将独特地受益于一个高技能和跨学科的良好整合的团队进行前沿研究，并将每天访问所有主管的实验室和设备。PI积极参与公众参与，成为SoC“Woman of Wonder”，学生将有机会向广大观众传播他们的研究。所有产生的数据将通过共享驱动器免费提供给团队，所有发布的数据将公开，以鼓励最大限度的数据共享。

Luminescent rare-earth upconversion nanophosphors (UCNPs) are rapidly emerging as an important class of nanoparticles with potential applications in biological imaging and medicine, amongst others, including dyes for solar cells and security inks. These nanoparticles are capable of converting near infra-red (nIR) light into visible light using hand-held laser pointers and offer much promise over conventional light sources in imaging since biological tissue and materials are much more transparent to radiation in this optical window and the mechanism allows high resolution 3D images to be obtained. At the interface of chemistry, biology and physics, this project will involve fabrication of a new class of functionalised nanoparticles appended with engineered peptides and proteins to recognise or 'sense' low levels of biologically toxic metal ions (including actinide ions) three dimensions through modulation of the fluorescence outputs. These enzyme biosensors will then be further elaborated to fabricate workable devices (based on optical ring resonators and evanescent wave-guide technology) for fast, tuneable and specific dual modal detection of toxic metal ions through Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and refractive index (RI) changes.This project is perfectly aligned with the BBSRC remit lying at the biology, chemistry and physics interface; a key driver for the 'exploiting new ways of working' agenda. The proposed research involves vital bioscience skills such as protein engineering, FRET technology and biosensing, which are currently risk areas. Training in these areas will address the dearth of skilled scientists crucial in maintaining the UK's talent pool. The student will uniquely benefit from a highly skilled and interdisciplinary well-integrated team conducting cutting edge research and will have daily access to all the supervisors' laboratories and equipment. The PI is heavily involved in public engagement being the SoC 'Woman of Wonder' and the student will have opportunity to disseminate their research to a wide audience. All data produced will be freely available to the team via a shared drive and all published data will be made public to encourage maximum data sharing.