Writing out an electrochemical biosensor using a pencil graphite

由于全球医疗保健服务的质量是以诊断能力为基础的，工程技术的小型化进步正在推动便携式电子诊断仪器的发展。曾经需要一个独立的、设备齐全的中央实验室来进行所有的测试，现在便携式电子设备可以直接到达患者手中，无论他们在哪里。关键部分是开发工程流程和程序，以制造低成本、便携式和灵敏的传感器。检测生物分子的传统方法将ELISA技术与荧光检测结合使用。由于光功率和电功率的要求，这种方法不利于小型化和便携性。发展便携式、低功耗检测的最有前途的途径是与电子传感器相关的工程技术的进步，这些传感器使用电化学方法直接检测目标生物分子。工程微技术的发展和超低功耗电子技术的出现使下一代用于检测生物分子和疾病标志物的电子传感器成为可能。*我们的建议探索了新的工程技术和方法来激活碳和石墨电极，以提高其电化学灵敏度。为了制造生物分子敏感电极，我们将使用一种使用编程序列电信号的激活过程来增强碳和石墨的表面敏感性。此外，激活过程将允许以极好的选择性检测致病病原体。我们将探索其他方法来提高电极的灵敏度，使用简单的材料涂层技术。这些方法适用于检测痕量和挥发性生物分子的电化学系统。为了使这些诊断和筛查系统能够在偏远和贫困地区使用，该系统必须使用低成本的电子设备，并且必须与现有的移动电话和平板电脑连接，以获得其计算能力和数据处理能力。*拟议的研究计划将使应用系统的工程成为可能，并为与健康相关的分子和材料科学的基础发现开辟道路。这种以科学和工程方法创造适用于这一领域的有效传感器的研究和开发将为加拿大学生和研究人员提供创新的解决方案以及技术和培训机会。这项研究创造的知识产权将导致加拿大的高科技衍生产品，可以生产下一代护理点诊断仪器和救生技术。这项研究和开发不仅将为加拿大做出贡献，而且将为全球事业和全人类的福祉做出贡献。**

Because the quality of global healthcare delivery is based upon diagnostic capacity, advances in miniaturization of engineering technologies is fueling the development of portable electronic diagnostic instruments. Where, once a stand-alone, well-equipped, central laboratory was required to perform all tests, now portable electronics go directly to patients, wherever they may be. The key component is developing engineering processes and procedures for creating low-cost, portable, and sensitive sensors. ***   *Traditional methods of detecting biomolecules use ELISA techniques in conjunction with fluorescent detection. This approach does not lend itself to miniaturization and portability because of the optical and electrical-power requirements. The most promising avenue for developing portable, low-power detection is with advances in engineering related to electronic sensors that directly detect target biomolecules using electrochemical approaches. Developments in engineering micro-technology and the availability of ultra-low-power electronics make possible the next generation of electronic sensors for detecting biomolecules and disease markers. ***   *Our proposal explores new engineering techniques and methods to activate carbon and graphite electrodes to enhance their electrochemical sensitivity. To create biomolecule sensitive electrodes, we will use an activation process using a programmed sequence electrical-signal to enhance the surface sensitivity of carbon and graphite. Further, the activation process will allow detection of disease-causing pathogens with excellent selectivity. We will explore other methods to enhance the sensitivity of the electrodes using simple material-coating techniques. These methods are applicable for electrochemical systems that will detect trace and volatile biomolecules. In order for these diagnostics and screening systems to be usable in remote and impoverished areas, the system must use low-cost electronics, and it must interface with already available mobile phones and tablets for its computing power and data processing capabilities.***   *The proposed research program will enable the engineering of applied systems and open avenues for fundamental discovery in molecular and material science associated with health. This research and development with a scientific and engineering approach to create effective sensors applicable in this area will enable innovative solutions as well as technological and training opportunities for Canadian students and researchers. The IP created by this research will result in Canadian high-tech spin-offs that can produce the next generation of point-of-care diagnostic instrumentation and life-saving technology. This research and development will contribute not only to Canada, but also to global causes and the welfare of all of humanity. **