Synthetic Electrochemical Receptors (Sensors) for Non-communicable Diseases

该项目的目的是开发适用于医疗保健应用的新型电化学（和潜在的光学）传感器。新型硼酸受体将被开发并固定到固有微孔聚合物（PIM）中，然后浇铸到石墨烯电极上。进一步地，所采取的方法可能需要用“可点击”单元叠氮化物或炔来官能化石墨烯。然后将适当的受体点击到表面上进行评估。所得的传感器将电化学评估无论是作为一个固有的传感器，或通过指示剂displacement approaches.In第一个实例中的模型单硼酸系统连接到一个大的疏水基团（芘）将准备。然后将使用标准电化学方法结合PIM评估该模型系统与单糖的结合。一旦建立了该PIM：硼酸模型系统的参数，将制备更复杂的受体，包括双硼酸系统。然后将使用电化学方法（如阻抗）评价这些系统的选择性葡萄糖结合。一旦基本的电化学分析已经建立，该项目将转移到使用定制的“石墨烯”电极从集成石墨烯，以走向更实用的系统。该项目符合巴斯大学，战略主题在先进材料和设备和健康生活，因为该项目将产生基于复合材料的传感器，用于检测具有生物学意义的分析物（即葡萄糖和糖尿病）。这项研究也与工程和物理科学研究理事会的目标有关。本项目将在三位主要导师的指导和监督下进行：Tony James教授、Frank马尔肯教授和Steven Bull教授。James教授将对硼酸受体的设计、合成和应用提供指导。马尔肯教授具有电化学技术方面的专业知识，这将是本项目的核心，因为首要目标是开发一种新型电化学传感器。Bull教授是合成有机化学方面的专家，他将在硼酸衍生传感器的合成过程中对该项目产生建设性的影响。

The aim of the project is to develop novel electrochemical (and potentially optical) sensors suitable for healthcare applications. Novel boronic acid receptors will be developed and immobilised into polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), before being cast onto graphene electrodes. Further down the line, the approach taken may require functionalisation of graphene with "clickable" units azide or alkyne. Appropriate receptors will then be clicked onto the surface for evaluation. Resultant sensors will be evaluated electrochemically either as an inherent sensor or via an indicator displacement approach.In the first instance a model mono boronic acid system attached to a large hydrophobic group (pyrene) will be prepared. This model system will then be evaluated in combination with the PIM for its binding to monosaccharides using standard electrochemical methods. Once the parameters for this PIM:Boronic acid model system have been established, more complex receptors will be prepared including bis-boronic acid systems. These systems will then be evaluated for selective glucose binding using electrochemical methods such as impedance. Once the basic electrochemical analysis has been established the project will move to using the bespoke "graphene" electrodes from Integrated Graphene in order to move towards more practically useful systems.The project aligns with the University of Bath, strategic themes in advanced materials and devices and Healthy Living, since the project will result in composite material-based sensors for the detection of analytes of biological significance (i.e. Glucose and diabetes). This research is also relevant to the goals of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.This project will be carried out under the guidance and supervision of three main supervisors: Professor Tony James, Professor Frank Marken and Professor Steven Bull. Professor James will provide guidance on the design, synthesis and application of boronic acid receptors. Professor Marken has expertise in electrochemical techniques, which will be central to this project as the overriding aim is to develop a novel electrochemical sensor. Professor Bull is a specialist in synthetic organic chemistry, who will have a constructive influence upon this project during the synthesis of the boronic acid derived sensors.