Development of biosensors for assisting in the diagnosis of Alzheimer\'s disease, for the rapid quantification of melatonin and for the simple determination of the genetic trait of sickle cell anemia

Author(s)

Laís Canniatti Brazaca

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT)
• Defense date: 2019-02-19

Examining board members

Valtencir Zucolotto; Júlio César Borges; Cristina Kurachi; Julio Cesar Moriguti; Gustavo Silva Wiederhecker

• Advisor: Valtencir Zucolotto

Abstract

The development of new biosensor platforms has brought important advances to the medical field, including faster detection of biomarkers, lower cost of analysis and portability. This thesis provides a description of the development of three biosensors that aim to assist the diagnosis of three different diseases. The first chapter describes the construction of a paper-based microfluidic device for the simultaneous quantification of two Alzheimer\'s disease biomarkers: Fetuin B and Clusterin. The device was able to quantify the studied proteins in a precise and low cost manner through the use of electrochemical and colorimetric techniques, presenting limits of detection in the order of p-nmol/L. The second chapter details the the development of an electrochemical immunosensor for the quantification of melatonin. The device was able to detect the biomolecule in biological samples quickly and with good specificity, differentiating melatonin from components with high structural similarity. Finally, the third chapter describes an electrochemical genosensor for diagnosis and determination of the trait of the most common genetic disease in Brazil, sickle cell anemia. The sensor was able to differentiate normal and mutated sequences in a simple and fast manner, being suitable for the diseases diagnosis and the determination of its trait. Therefore, we expect the devices presented here to lead to more accessible diagnoses, providing better health conditions for the population. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/02623-0 - New Platforms for Early and Rapid Alzheimer's disease diagnosis
• Grantee: Laís Canniatti Brazaca
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate