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Abstract:

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Our research team is interested in understanding biomolecule-electrode interfaces for measuring concentrations of target molecules in complex matrices (whole blood, saliva, etc.). Measuring insulin and glucose in a closed-loop fashion, for example, could diminish the incidence of low-glycemic events. Bedside monitoring of narrow therapeutic drugs like vancomycin or associated biomarkers can likewise allow for efficient intervention and deaths prevention. These examples illustrate how valuable having access to a measuring platform capable of rapidly determining concentrations of several molecules at once could transform healthcare.

Our efforts to develop this measuring platform so far have largely been in functionalizing electrodes with nucleic acids, like aptamers, for their use as biosensors. Through the modification of the nucleic acids with redox reporter molecules, we can electrochemically interrogate their binding state so that we can rapidly (< 5 min) and continuously monitor target concentrations in various matrices. Thanks to the relatively inexpensive and easily miniaturizable electronics analogous to the home glucometer, we envision that these biosensors can provide a detailed molecular profile conveniently and rapidly at the point-of-care. 听 In this presentation, I will be sharing the team鈥檚 results on: 听

1. Portable and wearable devices for electrochemical interrogation of biosensors.
2. Host-guest electrochemical biosensors for reagentless measurements.
3. Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors, from their biophysical characterization using NMR, calorimetry and computational tools to their multiplexed ability for continuous and real-time measurements directly in undiluted whole blood and human saliva.

听 We hope these new tools will prove useful in transitioning from a population-based medicine towards a personalized future in which each individual is empowered to make decisions on their health.

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Bio:

Dauphin-Ducharme P. is a bioanalytical electrochemist who started (Jan 2020) his independent research group as an assistant professor in the Chemistry Department at Universit茅 de Sherbrooke. He received his PhD training under the guidance of Prof. Janine Mauzeroll where he specialized in scanning probe techniques to study corrosion of light alloys. Through a collaboration with Prof. Hanadi Sleiman where his passion for DNA electrochemistry started, he decided to pursue a postdoctoral stay at University of California at Santa Barbara with Prof. Kevin Plaxco where he contributed to developing new electrochemical DNA-based biosensors. Building on his electrochemistry, biosensors, scanning probe techniques and materials chemistry expertise cited over 2000x in 40 peer-reviewed publications and 4 patents, his research team now studies electrode-biomolecule interfaces to develop new biosensors that deploy in complex matrices like blood or saliva. His most important contribution has been the development of new aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors for detection of molecules in the body where one is currently undergoing human clinical trial for future commercialization.