This $260,467 federal Project Grant award from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (CFDA 93.286 - Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health) supports the development of ultrasensitive ion-selective optodes for measuring blood electrolytes. The project aims to:
Develop ion-selective optodes to quantify key electrolytes (calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride) in blood samples. These novel colorimetric sensors can detect electrolyte levels using only a few microliters of whole blood.
Conduct clinical validation of the calcium sensor through a study using venous and fingerprick blood samples from patients with thyroid and parathyroid disorders.
Design a handheld, multiplexed sensing platform for simultaneously measuring multiple blood electrolytes in a drop of blood. The reusable device would cost a few hundred dollars, with disposable sensor components less than $1 each.
If successful, this technology could enable patients to frequently self-monitor their blood electrolyte levels at home, improving management of chronic conditions like heart failure, kidney disease, and electrolyte imbalances. The award has an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2028.