Development of a flow injection analysis system using a microgravimetric biosensor

• Grant number: 05/03251-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2006
• End date: December 31, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Censi Faria
• Grantee: Juliana Aparecida Ferreira
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this research project we are proposing to use lectins as an active material for biosensor development. The lectins are a class of protein that had activity compare to the antigen-antibody system. However, when compared to antibody system there are differences concerning structural and functional aspects. The lectins are proteins of non-immune origin, usually finding in plants and more recently in animals, presenting carbohydrate-combining sites. The lectins bind mono- and oligosaccharides in a fast way and with reversibly and high specificity. Similarly, lectins agglutinate glycoconjugates and specific cells. Such characteristics of lectins are exploited to study cell-cell and cell-protein interactions processes. Accordingly, lectins are an interesting active material for microgravimetric biosensor development. Microgravimetric biosensor is been developed in our laboratory. In this project, we intend to test jacalin and concanavalin-A lectins as active material. As analyte, we shall use carbohydrates and glycoconjugates in a stationary system. The goal of the project is to study the biosensor response by changing from stationary to a flow injection system. (AU)