(Invited) Nanomaterials-Based Electrochemical Enzyme Biosensors for Real Time Monitoring of Neurotransmitters

Abstract

Measurements of neurotransmitter levels are of great physiological and pathological importance and help understanding the state and progression of a variety of neurological diseases. Such studies require the availability of effective methods to probe biochemical processes in real time and allow accurate detection and quantification in vivo. These studies are also important to develop therapies and assess pharmacological effects. However, the presence of neurotransmitters at very low concentrations and variable levels and the complexity of the biological environment pose a great challenge for detection. Electrochemical methods provide real-time measurements in vitro and in vivo. In this presentation, we will discuss design and development of nanomaterials based microbiosensing platforms for the detection of neurotransmitters in vivo, with focus on the monitoring of dopamine, lactate and glutamate. The influence of the electrode design parameters including surface coatings and electrode configurations, and the ability to obtain quantitative spatial and temporal analytical data of the release and distribution of neurotransmitters will be provided with examples of applications. Advantages and limitations of these systems for measurements in real biological environments and the use of oxygen-releasing nanomaterials to address issues related to oxygen limitations and increase sensitivity of measurements in biological environments will be discussed. Our results demonstrate the potential of electrochemical techniques to measure neurotransmitters release in real time and obtain fundamental biochemical-relevant information on physiology, metabolism and disease states in living systems.