| Project Id
|
BITSRMIT024B001235
|
| Project Detail
|
| Project Title
|
AIE-carbon dots-based microfluidic biosensing platforms for enzymatic biomarker detection in early disease diagnosis
|
| Senior Supervision Team (BITS)
|
| Supervisor name and Title
|
AMRITA CHATTERJEE
|
School or Department (or company, if applicable)
|
BITS PILANI, GOA CAMPUS
|
|
|
|
Email ID
|
amrita@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
|
| URL for more info
|
https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/goa/amrita-chatterjee/
|
| a) Are you currently supervising a BITS or RMIT HDR student?
|
YES
|
| Please comment how many you are supervising
|
3
|
| b) Have you supervised an offshore candidate before?
|
NO
|
| If no, what support structures do you have in place?
|
|
| If yes, please elaborate
|
|
| Senior Supervision Team (RMIT)
|
| Supervisor name and Title
|
Cesar Sanchez Huertas
|
School or Department (or company, if applicable)
|
STEM
|
|
|
|
Email ID
|
cesar.sanchez.huertas@rmit.edu.au
|
| URL for more info
|
https://www.inpac.org.au/people/team-leader/dr-cesar-sanchez-huertas
|
| a) Are you currently supervising a BITS or RMIT HDR student?
|
YES
|
| Please comment how many you are supervising
|
8
|
| b) Have you supervised an offshore candidate before?
|
YES
|
| If no, what support structures do you have in place?
|
|
| If yes, please elaborate
|
I have participated in 3 cotutelle programs, ECLAusion, Aufrande, and AcSIR-RMIT, with one of the students completed and two still active. I have been involved in the candidate selection process and work collaboratively with an international team, having regular online meetings to support the project and the student process. So far, the collaborations have resulted in a thesis manuscript and four
|
| Other Supervisors (BITS)
|
| Supervisor name and Title
|
Sanket Goel
|
School or Department (or company, if applicable)
|
BITS PILANI, HYDERABAD CAMPUS
|
| Phone Number (Optional)
|
+914066303686
|
Email ID
|
sgoel@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in
|
| URL for more info
|
https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/~sgoel
|
| Other Supervisors (BITS)
|
| Supervisor name and Title
|
Francisco Tovar Lopez
|
School or Department (or company, if applicable)
|
STEM
|
| Phone Number (Optional)
|
+61399255279
|
Email ID
|
francisco.tovarlopez@rmit.edu.au
|
| URL for more info
|
https://www.rmit.edu.au/contact/staff-contacts/academic-staff/t/tovar-lopez-dr-francisco
|
| Field of Research (For Codes)
|
| 340108 | Sensor Technology (including Chemical aspects) | 40.00 |
| 340304 | Optical properties of materials | 30.00 |
| 340503 | Organic Chemical Synthesis | 30.00 |
|
| Project Description
|
|
Early detection of disease-specific biomarkers is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. Enzymatic biomarkers provide crucial insights into pathological conditions at their initial stages. For instance, nitroreductase is associated with cancer progression, ß-galactosidase in urine serves as an early indicator of diabetic kidney disease, and carboxylesterase is a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma. However, current detection methods often lack the required sensitivity, selectivity, and practicality, emphasizing the need for reliable diagnostic platforms.
This project proposes fluorescence-based microfluidic sensing platforms integrating advanced nanomaterials for improved biomarker detection. Red-emitting carbon dots (RCDs) offer superior sensitivity and biocompatibility compared to conventional probes. While blue- and green-emitting carbon dots are well studied, red-emitting variants with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) remain largely unexplored. Additionally, CoOOH nanoflakes act as nanoenzymes with oxidase-like activity, enabling efficient fluorescence quenching for highly selective biomarker detection.
Integrating these nanomaterials into microfluidic analytical devices ensures precise reaction control, minimal sample volumes, and high-throughput analysis. This project aims to develop and validate a fluorescence-based microfluidic system for real-time biomarker detection, enhancing diagnostic accessibility.
ObjectiveDevelop red-emissive AIE carbon dots using eco-friendly methods.Create a CoOOH-based sensory platform for detecting nitroreductase, ß-galactosidase, and esterase.Design microfluidic solutions for precise enzyme detection. Methodology Synthesis & Characterization of AIE CDs. CoOOH nanoflakes will be synthesized. Analyte-specific synthesis of pseudoprobes. Evaluation & Validation: Optimization studies will be conducted with different parameters. UV-Vis and fluorimetric study to assess enzyme interactions, selectivity and LOD studies Microfluidic Device Development: CAD modeling using SOLIDWORKS will guide device design, followed by PDMS injection molding at the MNRF PDMS Laboratory (RMIT University). Validation will include optical microscopy for structural integrity and fluorescence microscopy for biomarker interaction analysis. By integrating AIE-active carbon dots with microfluidic biosensing, this project aims to enable early disease detection, improving patient outcomes.
|
| Project Deliverable/Outcomes
|
|
Apart from the several publications in international journals of repute, three different detection systems will be developed for (i) Nitroreductase; (ii) b-galactosidase (iii) esterase.
Three microfluidic sensory platforms are expected to be developed. Based on suitability separate patents will be filed.
One human resource generation- The project staff will enroll in Ph.D. and pursue and complete the degree in due course of time.
Continued efforts and potential future collaborations in addressing various scientific challenges.
|
| Research Impact Themes
|
| BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES | AFFORDABLE HEALTH AND PREVENTABLE DISEASES |
| ADVANCED MATERIALS, MANUFACTURING AND FABRICATION | NOVEL MATERIALS |
|
| Which RMIT Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) does your project align to
|
|
GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING
|
| Which RMIT Enabling Impact Platform (EIP) does your project align to
|
|
BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH INNOVATION
|
| Which RMIT Program code will this project sit under?
|
|
DR220 (ELECTRICALANDELECTRONIC)
|
| Student Capabilities and Qualifications
|
|
Hands on experience in Organic synthesis
|
|
Analytical Chemistry
|
|
MSc
|
| Preferred discipline of Student
|
| Chemistry |
| Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Coputational Chemistry, Colloids, Surface Chemistry, Catalysis |
| Nanotechnology, Nanomaterials, Nanomedicine, Nanoscience |
|