Polymeric microneedles for electrochemical prognosis of Psoriasis

• Grant number: 24/16090-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Wendel Andrade Alves
• Grantee: Ana Alice Zaneli
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/14753-0 - Biosensing and delivery point-of-care technologies based on microneedles to improve healthcare testing and treatments, AP.TEM

Abstract

This project aims to develop innovative flexible microneedle array (FMNA) electrodes, employing a novel composition of Silk Fibroin Ni(OH)2 (SF-Ni(OH)2) and Silk Fibroin Ni(OH)2 poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (SF-Ni(OH)2-PEDOT: PSS). The primary objective is to advance the capabilities of electrochemical biosensors for the real-time, minimally invasive monitoring of cytokines, explicitly focusing on interleukin-17 (IL-17), a key biomarker in inflammatory processes. These microneedle electrodes are designed to integrate the biocompatibility of silk fibroin with advanced electrochemical functionalities, thereby enhancing the extraction efficiency of interstitial fluid (ISF) and enabling the sensitive detection of IL-17. The project will synthesize and characterize these hybrid materials to ensure their electrochemical suitability and stability for biosensor applications. The design efforts will aim to produce microneedle arrays that are robust enough to penetrate the skin yet comfortable and adaptable for continuous use. The performance of these electrodes will be rigorously tested, focusing on their sensitivity and response times for IL-17 detection. Collaborative in vivo testing with clinical partners will validate the sensors' practical applications, to revolutionize patient monitoring by integrating these sensors into wearable health devices. Ultimately, this project seeks to push the boundaries of biomedical engineering and explore the commercial potential of a new class of efficient, patient-friendly diagnostic solutions specifically tailored for the monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers like IL-17, offering a promising future for the field of healthcare technology. (AU)