Development of wearable biosensor based on microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (uPAD) for cortisol analysis in sweat

• Grant number: 17/05362-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal researcher: Emanuel Carrilho
• Grantee: Amanda Hikari Imamura
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/19749-5 - Application of thermal-induced shrink electrodes for cortisol detection in wearable devices, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Psychological stress attributed to the everyday lifestyle directly affects health, which could contribute to depression, heart attack, migraine, and even to premature births. Prenatal stress on pregnancy is related to low birth weight, prematurity, and negative effects on long-term child development. Cortisol, known as "stress hormone", acts as a biomarker associated with such condition. Current analytical techniques for determination of cortisol require sophisticated equipment, multiple steps, long-time analysis, and skilled professionals to perform and interpret analysis data. Aiming at cortisol monitoring in a continuous, easy, feasible, and non-invasive manner, we propose the development of a wearable biosensor for cortisol detection in skin sweat, which could provide simple and continuous assessment. The biosensor will consist of paper-based microfluidic device (uPAD), capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) modified with anti-cortisol antibody as bioreceptor element. For microchannel molding, wax-printing technique will be used. In a C4D device, a dielectric film is used to isolate the electrodes from the microchannel fluid. PDMS or even wax will be evaluated as dielectric film material for biomolecule detection in sweat matrix. The antibodies will be immobilized on dielectric film surface and different immobilization methods will be studied. After the device development, biosensor sensibility and detectability will be evaluated and optimized. Once this device works properly, it could significantly contribute to improve pregnancy-monitoring conditions. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

IMAMURA, AMANDA HIKARI; SEGATO, THIAGO PINOTTI; MARQUES DE OLIVEIRA, LETICIA JORDAO; HASSAN, AYAZ; CRESPILHO, FRANK NELSON; CARRILHO, EMANUEL. Monitoring cellulose oxidation for protein immobilization in paper-based low-cost biosensors. Microchimica Acta, v. 187, n. 5 APR 15 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.