A “Big Impact Research” video featuring research by Professor Anne Andrews and graduate student Noelle Mitchell has been airing during commercial breaks for televised UCLA football and basketball games in the Big Ten Network.
The short video showcases the tiny transistor biosensors Andrews, Mitchell, and other group members designed. These sensors can monitor neurochemical and hormone levels, helping researchers understand why some people are more susceptible to stress. This sensor technology detects biomarkers in and on the body, including the stress hormone cortisol or ovulation hormones, providing personalized feedback to improve health.
About the Research
Wearable devices that detect and quantify biomarkers in biofluids (interstitial fluid, sweat, tears) can provide information on human dynamic physiological and psychological states. This information will transform health and wellness by providing personalized, actionable feedback. Current on-body sensing systems have capabilities limited to pH, and a few high-concentration electrolytes, metabolites, and nutrients. As such, wearable sensing systems cannot detect low-concentration biomarkers indicative of stress, inflammation, metabolic health, and reproductive status.
“We are revolutionizing sensing,” Andrew’s explained. “Our electronic biosensors detect virtually any signaling molecule or metabolite at ultra-low levels in implantable and noninvasive wearable formats. We validated sensors for serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, phenylalanine, and glucose. Sensors are based on aptamers for target recognition coupled with straightforwardly scalable transistors for manufacturing. We are developing sensors for >40 biomarkers for individualized continuous monitoring (sweat, interstitial fluid) for treating chronic health conditions (mental health and stress disorders, metabolic disorders, phenylketonuria). Our sensors will also enable the adoption of more healthy lifestyles to prevent chronic disease and improve physical and cognitive performance.”
Read more research here:
UCLA Newsroom—Cortisol Smartwatch (2022)
Chemistry & Biochemistry Newsroom—Implantable Brain Probes (2021)
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.
