Printable biosensors based on aptamer technology for broad application
Forum for Interdisciplinary Research
The massive use of antibiotics in the medical sector and in animal feed have led to a steady increase in multi-resistant germs. In order to control and possibly contain the spread of antibiotics in food, it is necessary to be able to detect them quickly, efficiently and inexpensively. The aim of this project is to establish the basic principle for a fast and efficient analytical process in which aptamer-based biosensors can be developed and produced cost-effectively for widespread application using printing technologies such as inkjet or gravure printing. Aptamers are small structured nucleic acid molecules that recognize antibiotics with high affinity and specificity and can be generated for any antibiotic. Aptamer-based biosensors can then be used for the sensitive detection of antibiotics. Using printing technology, these aptamers can be processed into biosensors by using additives and printing them onto a pretreated substrate. In this way, a biosensor with detection zone, auxiliary structures for the management of the applied fluids, as well as optical auxiliary structures for evaluation and quantification are created. Printing technologies are already well established in the production of medical test strips, enabling a wide range of fluids to be dispensed and applied to surfaces in a structured manner.
Project members:
Prof. Dr. Beatrix Süß, department of biology, synthetic genetic circuits
Prof. Dr. Edgar Dörsam, department mechanical engineering, Institute of Printing Science and Technology
related links:
Synthetic Genetic Circuits
