STTR Phase I:Aptamer Biosensors with the Longevity and Technology Compatibility Required for Continuous Biosensing Devices Beyond Glucose

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to improve clinical outcomes for patients with wearable biosensor needs.This project will develop wearable continuous glucose biosensor platforms to address a broad set of disease and wellness applications, such as measuring additional molecules relevant to diabetes management, improving management of cardiovascular diseases, and therapeutic drug monitoring to customize dosages.In addition to impacting human health (particularly for chronic diseases) in the United States, the commercial market is significant and valued at approximately $120 B/year.Furthermore, these biosensors will provide data directly to patients to inform their decisions.This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will address the limitations which have prevented continuous diagnostic monitoring platforms from adding clinical utility beyond sensing glucose with enzymatic sensors. Unlike enzymatic glucose sensors, electrochemical aptamer sensors are rapidly adaptable to measuring other molecules in the body with high specificity and sensitivity. However, aptamer sensors currently degrade rapidly in live animals ( less than 6-12 hours) and must be inserted through a highly-invasive incision.This STTR Phase I project will demonstrate robust and longer-lasting functioning of aptamer biosensors in a real biofluid environment. It will use a software-enabled method in which only one electrode is inserted, making the resulting device truly minimally invasive.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.