Gold Nanorod Integrated Electrochemical Sensing for Hyperglycaemia on Interdigitated Electrode

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Gestational diabetes (hyperglycaemia) poses risks to both mother and fetus, including excessive birth weight, premature birth, and increased risk of type-2 diabetes for the mother.
• Current screening guidelines recommend detection between gestational weeks 18-20, but earlier fetal complications can arise.
• Continuous glucose monitoring is crucial for optimal pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive and specific method for early detection and continuous monitoring of glucose levels during pregnancy.
• To enhance the detection limit of glucose sensors using gold nanorod (GNR) conjugation with glucose oxidase (GOx).

Main Methods:

• Utilized an interdigitated electrode sensor modified with gold nanorod (GNR)-conjugated glucose oxidase (GOx).
• Assessed the limit of glucose detection and compared sensor performance with and without GNR conjugation.
• Performed specificity analysis to evaluate the sensor's response to glucose versus other sugars.

Main Results:

• Achieved a glucose detection limit of 0.06 mg/mL with the GOx-GNR modified sensor, a significant improvement over GOx alone (0.25 mg/mL).
• Observed significantly higher current responses from the baseline for all tested glucose concentrations when using GOx-GNR.
• Demonstrated high specificity, with the sensor reacting exclusively to glucose and effectively discriminating against other sugars.

Conclusions:

• The developed GOx-GNR based sensor offers a sensitive and specific platform for diagnosing and monitoring gestational diabetes.
• This method facilitates earlier detection and continuous glucose monitoring, potentially improving management and outcomes for pregnancies affected by hyperglycaemia.
• The enhanced sensitivity and specificity pave the way for improved diagnostic tools in prenatal care.