Printable molecule-selective core-shell nanoparticles for wearable and implantable sensing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Wearable and implantable biosensors are crucial for precision medicine, enabling continuous biomolecule analysis for health monitoring.
• Current biosensor limitations include a narrow range of detectable targets, operational instability, and challenges in scalable production.
• Addressing these limitations is key to advancing personalized healthcare and fundamental biomedical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel printable core-shell nanoparticles for advanced biosensor fabrication.
• To overcome limitations in target specificity, operational stability, and mass production of biosensors.
• To demonstrate the utility of these biosensors in real-world applications for personalized health and therapeutic monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of core-shell nanoparticles with a molecularly imprinted polymer shell for target recognition and a nickel hexacyanoferrate core for electrochemical transduction.
• Utilizing inkjet printing technology with optimized nanoparticle ink for mass production of robust and flexible biosensors.
• Validation of biosensor performance in wearable metabolic monitoring and therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical and preclinical settings.

Main Results:

• Successful mass production of printable, stable, and flexible biosensors using core-shell nanoparticle technology.
• Demonstrated continuous monitoring of a wide range of biomarkers, including amino acids, vitamins, metabolites, and drugs.
• Validated effectiveness in wearable monitoring of vitamin C, tryptophan, and creatinine in long COVID patients, and in real-time analysis of immunosuppressants in cancer patients and a mouse model.

Conclusions:

• Printable core-shell nanoparticles offer a scalable solution for creating advanced biosensors with dual functionality.
• These novel biosensors significantly enhance capabilities for continuous, multi-biomarker monitoring in precision medicine.
• The demonstrated applications highlight the potential of these biosensors for personalized health management and optimized therapeutic interventions.