Development of Highly Sensitive Fluorescence System for Continuous Glucose Measurement

这个项目的目标是开发一个强大的荧光系统连续监测血糖水平。糖尿病是一种由代谢异常引起的慢性疾病。如果没有适当的血糖水平管理，这种疾病会引起并发症，甚至死亡。迄今为止，数以百万计的患者每天必须刺破手指进行4-5次血糖测试。连续血糖监测（CGM）被认为是改善患者生活质量、减轻医疗保健系统沉重负担的重要设备之一。张金（Jin Zhang）开发了一种用于测量水中葡萄糖水平的纳米结构荧光共振能量转移（FRET）生物探针。与其他商业化的葡萄糖传感器相比，纳米结构FRET传感器可以根据葡萄糖水平的变化提供双荧光信号，而无需植入发射器或电源，从而提供更准确的结果。为了进一步开发传感器在可见-近红外范围内的连续测量，张博士的研究团队，包括一名博士生和一名研究助理，将与加拿大PTI公司的研究人员合作，修改荧光系统，以检测新的纳米结构生物探针。我们将统计分析测量参数，以放大荧光纳米材料对不同浓度葡萄糖的体外反应。此外，还将开发一种计算机控制的图像处理方法来实现连续测量。这一成功将使PTI具有成本效益的荧光系统能够有效地检测纳米结构FRET传感器，从而加强PTI在全球荧光系统市场的领先地位，而这通常需要非常昂贵的仪器。我们期望成功的结果将增强PTI在荧光系统领域的竞争力，并对加拿大的即时护理技术和制造业产生重大影响。

The goal of this proposed project is to develop a robust fluorescence system for continuously monitoring glucose level. Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by abnormal metabolism. Without proper management of glucose level, this disease can cause complications, and even death. To date, millions of patients have to prick their fingers for blood glucose testing 4-5 times per day. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is regarded as one of the most essential devices to improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the heavy burden on the healthcare system. Jin Zhang has developed a nanostructured fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) bio-probe for measuring the glucose level in aqueous. Compared to other commercialized glucose sensors, the nanostructured FRET sensors can provide more accurate result due to the dual fluorescent signals depending on the changes of glucose level without implanting a transmitter or a power source. To further develop the sensor for continuous measures in a visible-near infrared range, Dr. Zhang's research team, including a PhD student and a Research Associate will work with researchers from PTI, a Canadian company, to modify the fluorescence system for detecting new nanostructured bioprobes. We will statistically analyze the measurement parameters to amplify the responses of fluorescent nanomaterials to different concentrations of glucose in vitro. In addition, a computer controlled image processing method will be developed to achieve the continuous measurement. The success will enable PTI's cost-efficient fluorescent system to detect nanostructured FRET sensor efficiently, which normally requires very expensive instruments, and, therefore, strengthen the leading position of PTI in the global market of fluorescence system. We expect that the successful results will enhance PTI's competitiveness in the field of fluorescence systems, and have a significant impact on Canada's point-of-care technique and manufacturing industry.