Researchers are hoping to revolutionise diabetes management with the development of a paper-based biosensor system that will eliminate the need for finger prick tests.
The system uses Bacillus subtilis bacterial spores that germinate in response to glucose in potassium-rich bodily fluids, such as sweat. The amount of power generated would determine the glucose level.
Current glucose monitoring systems rely on enzymatic reactions to blood droplets, but those methods are not shelf-stable for easy shipment or storage. The self-replicating nature of the bacteria also ensures longevity.
“The problem with using enzymes is that they denature and deactivate,” said Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi of Binghamton University.
“You need to store it in a refrigerator, but even then, their potency goes down over time. Our spore-based system can endure very harsh environments and activates only when the right conditions are met.”
Yang “Lexi” Gao from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said: “I know the energy crisis is a major problem right now, so it’s fascinating that we can use bacteria to generate power.
“It’s clean and sustainable, and because it’s paper-based and disposable, it’s very easy and very cheap. My background in chemistry helps us do a lot of modification to these devices, and that really excites me.
“Anwar not only built those circuits, but he also got me involved — to explain each component, what they do, how they work and how they link together. I’m also taking online courses to get familiar with circuit design so I can build them by myself, because I can’t rely on others all the time.”
“Everyone has a different potassium concentration in their sweat, and I don’t know how this concentration affects the glucose,” Choi said.
“The sensitivity also is lower than conventional enzymatic biosensors. But from this work, we created a new sensing mechanism to detect glucose. No one has done that yet.”
