New biosensor measures toxic drugs in cancer, arthritis and organ transplant patients

Researchers have taken another step towards transforming a global diagnostics industry worth 70 billion US dollars

Researchers from the CSIRO-QUT Synthetic Biology Consortium, in collaboration with Clarkson University and Queensland University of Pathology, demonstrated their modular approach to building small molecule biosensors-designed to capture selected biomarkers and generate measurable Reactive artificial protein

In two independent studies, biosensors were used to accurately measure the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, and rapamycin, and the anticancer drug methotrexate, which requires close monitoring to reduce toxicity and Organ damage

Lead researcher Professor Kirill Alexandrov said that this protein biosensor has the potential to expand patient care by performing complex tests on cheaper laboratory equipment and new point-of-care equipment

Professor Aleksandrov said: "Protein is the core of the global $70 billion diagnostic market, which relies heavily on the processing of the central laboratory

"Our biosensor technology will enable tests such as therapeutic drug monitoring to be performed on less complex devices, and you are more likely to find these devices in small, regional or remote laboratories and hospitals

Future tests may require even smaller biological samples.

Professor Aleksandrov said: "With further development, biosensor technology can be used for finger testing.

Professor Aleksandrov said that the complexity and fragility of proteins have brought difficulties to the construction and use of protein biosensors, but the modular design helps to alleviate this problem and can be adapted to any small molecule.

He said that the new protein is produced by engineered bacteria and is modified by recombinant DNA technology to produce artificial switch molecules to identify specific drugs

"Protein biosensor is'turned off'-like a circuit is missing

When activated, different protein biosensors will produce color changes to read hue-based readings, or generate electrochemical currents

Professor Aleksandrov said that their team conducted application experiments with ordinary blood glucose meter technology to develop a cheap, portable, and accurate device

He said: "The activated electrochemical biosensor breaks down glucose and produces electrons as a byproduct, producing an electric current proportional to the number of target molecules captured

"The Clarkson team also demonstrated the feasibility of reusing this technology to detect two different biomarkers at the same time

Despite the success of the experiment, Professor Aleksandrov said that blood glucose meter technology is for specific purposes, and researchers need to redesign equipment and manufacturing processes to adapt to new clinical applications
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"When manufacturing medical devices, there are a lot of parameters that need to be coordinated
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This is very difficult, which is why new diagnostic technologies enter the market very slowly
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"

Professor Aleksandrov is from the Genomics and Personal Health Center, Agriculture and Bioeconomics Center, and the Faculty of Science at Queensland University of Technology
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He said that future research will focus on the stability, sensitivity and manufacturability of protein biosensors
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Article title

Design of a methotrexate-controlled chemical dimerization system and its use in bio-electronic devices