Minimally Invasive Molecularly Imprinted Conductive Nanoneedle Sensors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
There has been a significant drive in recent years for the development of rapid diagnostics, specifically for sepsis, as there is a crucial time window in which patients need to be diagnosed and treated. Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The patient's immune system goes into overdrive setting off a series of reactions including widespread inflammation. Sepsis is the leading cause of death from infection, especially if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Rapid, accurate and simple tests are still lacking for sepsis. Diagnosis is an essential part of all healthcare, and sepsis is no exception, and although clinical laboratories offer sensitive, specific assays, such as blood culture and high-throughput immunoassays, they are often time and labour intensive, costly, and dependent on well-trained operators. Point-of-care diagnostics on the other hand, can offer rapid results at site, enabling informed treatments; however, these technologies are still in development. Consequently, for example, antibiotics for suspected bacterial infections can be prescribed without positive diagnosis (increasing the potential risk of antimicrobial resistance), or not prescribed at all when they are really needed (i.e. when sepsis goes undiagnosed).
The MIMIC-nano sensors will move beyond the current state-of-the-art by developing minimally invasive sensors with dense arrays of nanoneedles that can sequester and detect targeted biomarkers from interstitial fluid through the development of 'synthetic antibodies' by synthesising molecularly imprinted conductive polymers. The MIMIC-nano sensors will accurately and quickly detect biomarkers specific to inflammation from sepsis, ultimately resulting in optimised diagnosis and treatments. Bringing this need to point-of-care could transform the way patients are diagnosed and treated for antimicrobial infections in the future.
The MIMIC-nano sensors will move beyond the current state-of-the-art by developing minimally invasive sensors with dense arrays of nanoneedles that can sequester and detect targeted biomarkers from interstitial fluid through the development of 'synthetic antibodies' by synthesising molecularly imprinted conductive polymers. The MIMIC-nano sensors will accurately and quickly detect biomarkers specific to inflammation from sepsis, ultimately resulting in optimised diagnosis and treatments. Bringing this need to point-of-care could transform the way patients are diagnosed and treated for antimicrobial infections in the future.
Organisations
Publications
Daniels E
(2021)
Optimization of Cortisol-Selective Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Enabled by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
in ACS Applied Bio Materials
Keirouz A
(2023)
Conductive Polymer-Coated 3D Printed Microneedles: Biocompatible Platforms for Minimally Invasive Biosensing Interfaces.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Mustafa YL
(2022)
Molecularly imprinted polymers in diagnostics: accessing analytes in biofluids.
in Journal of materials chemistry. B
Mustafa YL
(2023)
Fabrication of a Lactate-Specific Molecularly Imprinted Polymer toward Disease Detection.
in ACS omega
Turner J
(2023)
3D-Printed Hollow Microneedle-Lateral Flow Devices for Rapid Blood-Free Detection of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin
in Advanced Materials Technologies
Turner JG
(2021)
Hydrogel-Forming Microneedles: Current Advancements and Future Trends.
in Macromolecular bioscience
Turner JG
(2023)
Antimicrobial releasing hydrogel forming microneedles.
in Biomaterials advances
Title | Images of Research - Bath Spa Train Station |
Description | We submitted our microneedles to Images of Research competition, and cam highly commended in the Health and Wellbeing section, the images for subsequently exhibited for the public outside of Bath Spa Train Station in the city centre. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | We shared the potential for microneedles to be used for drug delivery purposed and also subsequently got contacted by members of the public and companies that saw the technology exhibited. |
URL | https://www.bath.ac.uk/projects/images-of-research/ |
Description | The funding has enabled the development of novel microneedle technologies that enable both sensing of inflammation markers toward detecting signs of infection at point of care within 5 minutes as we as developing novel imprinted polymers on the needles to detect small molecules such as cortisol and lactate. We have utilised 3D printing to manufacture microneedle devices at low cost but with our methods high resolution for skin penetration. We have developed the first fully polymer conductive microneedle devices. |
Exploitation Route | We have filed two patents and currently going through the patent process and seek avenues for further funding of the research, for example through iCURE programme, or innovate UK. We are at a stage where we can test patient samples and this is an important next step towards translation. |
Sectors | Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Faculty Equipment Bid - Infrared system and probe |
Amount | £73,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2021 |
End | 03/2022 |
Description | University Equipment Bid Nanobioprinter |
Amount | £510,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2023 |
End | 03/2023 |
Title | Dataset for "Conductive polymer-coated 3D printed microneedles: biocompatible platforms for minimally invasive biosensing interfaces" |
Description | This dataset includes all the data presented and analyzed in the aforementioned paper, "Conductive polymer-coated 3D printed microneedles: biocompatible platforms for minimally invasive biosensing interfaces". These include: CAD designs, SEM and AFM micrographs, FTIR, Raman, and EDS spectra, water sessile drop images, DMA compression tests, ex vivo skin penetration bright-field microscopy images, cyclic voltammograms, four-point probe resistivity measurements, battery-LED system photographs, and cytotoxicity assay measurements. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Informed further research on microneedle datasets and data gathering |
URL | https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/datasets/dataset-for-conductive-polymer-coated-3d-printed-micro... |
Title | CROSSLINKED HYDROGEL FORMING MICRONEEDLES FOR CONTROLING THE DELIVERY OF AN ACTIVE AGENT |
Description | Hydrogel-forming microneedles fabricated from 3D printed master templates were used to demonstrate their potential use for the transdermal delivery of antibiotics. Where the desired antibiotic can be encapsulated within the hydrogel's polymeric network through a room temperature swell/deswell drug loading method within minutes, eliminating the need for an external drug reservoir. The resultant impact on the mechanical properties was insignificant and successful skin penetration was observed. The hydrogel swell rate was tailored by altering the crosslinking density, as a result, the resultant drug delivery rate and dosage was manipulated for a desirable applicable delivery concentration. Measuring the antimicrobial properties highlighted the overall beneficial use of hydrogel-forming microneedles for the transdermal drug delivery of antibiotics. |
IP Reference | application number: 63/364,335 |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2022 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | THIS PATENT IS A PROVISIONAL APPLICATION UNDER 35 USC 111(b) |
Title | Hollow Microneedles |
Description | a low force stereolithography 3D printing method was utilised for the direct production of sharp tipped HMNs. These 3D printed HMNs can penetrate skin, extract fluid and deliver drug solutions. By using a high temperature resin allows for enhancement of structural properties and an ability to withstand sterilisation processes without MN deformation occurring. Plasma treatment of these printed HMNs alters the surface chemistry for increased hydrophilicity, aiding fluid flow through the HMNs. Further coating these HMNs allows for increased biocompatibility, as well as enhancement of other properties, which can be desirable in specific applications. |
IP Reference | 63/364,334 |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2022 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | seeking further funding to support further developments either for licensing or spinouts. |
Description | Microneedle work in the Wiley Women in Materials Science special feature for International Women's Day 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Our microneedle research has been featured in the Wiley Women in Materials Science special feature 2023 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1002/(ISSN)1521-4095.WomeninMaterialsScience |
Description | Research highlighted in the Women in Materials Science RSC Journal for International Women's Day 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Our research article was featuring in the RSC Celebrating International Women's Day: Women in Materials Science 2023. They articles are open to read to all until 8th April |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/articlecollectionlanding?sercode=mh&themeid=9022818c-728d-474f-bbee... |
Description | Salter's Institute Bath University Chemistry Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | In collaboration with Salter's Institute we developed videos to share with secondary school aged children to help inspire and inform them about different areas of chemistry. They were looking for experts to be interviewed using a professional filming company, and the resulting videos will also be made available to the university for our own outreach events. The topic Hannah Leese contributed to was "Chemical Engineering in the Real-World" and focused on the research of the materials for health lab and minimally invasive healthcare technologies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Sepsis awareness month - Univeristy of Bath |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Hannah Leese was interviewed by the social media manager at the Univeristy of Bath on the research on-going for sepsis awareness month. This interviewed was shared on the University twitter feed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |