Photoelectrochemical biosensing for COVID-19: virus and antibodies

该项目旨在开发一种有效的抗体传感器，作为检测COVID 19引起的感染的预防措施。它解决了一个对加拿大和Solstar Pharma至关重要的问题，Solstar Pharma是一家加拿大公司，专注于研究和开发用于治疗危及生命的疾病的抗菌剂，抗病毒剂和抗癌剂。 我们的目标是开发一种基于量子点（QD）等光活性纳米颗粒的光电化学（PEC）生物传感器，用于检测COVID 19和相关抗体。将开发基于工程化核/多壳结构的高效量子点，并研究它们与分子识别元件（MRE）层的相互作用。将追求QDs-MRE配体结构与性质的深入研究，以通过利用QD光活性材料和MRE表面官能化的协同效应来提高生物传感器的效率（通过减少重组事件）和灵敏度。为了开发一个一致的病毒和抗体检测的结构-性质图，我们将研究QD-配体结构和检测性能之间的关系，以实现一种新的PEC生物传感器，可以在不同的条件下，在特定类型的照明（阳光或低功率二极管）。 这项研究将在Solstar Pharma研发团队和Rosei教授的密切合作下进行，Rosei教授将在整个项目期间由一名博士后研究员协助。预期的影响和结果将是实现用于检测COVID抗体的PEC生物传感器。特别是，最终的小型化，低成本和高灵敏度的生物传感器将对加拿大的卫生部门和经济产生重大的积极影响。

This project aims to develop an efficient antibody sensor, as preventive measure for detection of infections caused by COVID19. It addresses a problem of crucial importance for Canada and for Solstar Pharma, a Canadian company which focuses on research & development of antimicrobial, anti-viral and anti-cancer agents for the treatment of life-threatening diseases. Our objective is to develop a Photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor based on photoactive nanoparticles such as Quantum Dots (QDs) for the detection of COVID19 and related antibodies. Highly efficient QDs based on engineered core/multi-shelled structures will be developed and their interaction with the molecular recognition element (MRE) layer it will be investigated. An in-depth study of the QDs-MRE ligands structure vs. properties will be pursued, to improve efficiency (by reducing recombination events) and the sensitivity of the biosensor by exploiting the synergistic effect of QD photoactive materials and MRE surface functionalization. To develop a consistent structure-property picture of virus and antibody detection, we will study the relationship between QD-ligands structures and detection performance, to realize a new PEC biosensor that can used in different conditions, under specific types of lighting (sunlight or low-power diodes). This research will be conducted in close collaboration between the Solstar Pharma R&D team and Prof. Rosei who will be assisted by one postdoctoral fellow during the whole duration of the project. The expected impact and outcome will be the realization of a PEC biosensor for detecting COVID antibodies. In particular, the final miniaturized, low-cost and highly sensitive biosensor will have a major positive impact on Canada's health sector and economy.