A single nanowire sensor for intracellular glucose detection

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Intracellular glucose metabolism is crucial for cellular energy supply and physiological processes.
• Existing glucose sensors are unsuitable for intracellular detection due to size and spatial resolution limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a nanoscale sensor for accurate electrochemical detection of intracellular glucose.
• To enable real-time monitoring of intracellular glucose levels and its response to potential therapeutic agents.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a single nanowire glucose sensor by depositing platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) on a SiC@C nanowire.
• Immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) onto the Pt NPs/SiC@C nanowire.
• Electrochemical detection of glucose via enzymatic conversion to H2O2 and subsequent electro-catalysis by Pt NPs.

Main Results:

• The developed nanowire sensor exhibits high sensitivity, spatial-temporal resolution, and enzyme specificity.
• Real-time monitoring of intracellular glucose levels was achieved.
• The sensor detected an increase in intracellular glucose induced by a novel potential hypoglycemic agent.

Conclusions:

• The single nanowire glucose sensor offers a versatile platform for intracellular glucose detection.
• This technology facilitates real-time monitoring of cellular glucose metabolism and evaluation of glucose-lowering drugs.
• The method is beneficial for physiological and pathological studies involving intracellular non-electroactive molecules.