Classical diagnostic methods tend to be better suited for on-the-spot blood measurement. This form of method is conducted periodically, such as twice a year, and it gives you a single measurement. However, some circumstances require biochemical information to be monitored as it fluctuates, such as diabetics.
In diabetics, we have what we call CGM, Continuous Glucose Monitor, which monitors glucose fluctuation. This type of fluctuation must also be monitored for cardiac, stress, wellness, and nutrition.
Measuring blood monthly or quarterly is an insufficient method, as you are unable to get an idea of the overall picture and identify any trends. This is not only the case in medicine, but also in fitness; you want to continuously monitor your hydration or lactate – all of which fluctuate.
There are a lot of temporal variations in kidney and cardiac diseases. Thus, taking just one measurement will not provide useful information.
If you look at the glucose market, it is dominated by electrochemical devices. The beauty of an electrochemical sensor is that it is a small, compact, portable device that is easy to mass produce with a low power requirement, making them very attractive technologies.
For instance, the finger stick blood test, a mobile self-testing or wearable device, relies on electrochemistry because of these unique properties.
We are creating wearable alcohol or opioid sensors to help prevent drunk driving or drug abuse. A sensor that can monitor cortisol levels would also be highly advantageous when it comes to determining stress levels. Other useful targets would be vitamins to aid in monitoring personal nutrition.
We are also hoping to develop a sensor to help identify trace elements and minerals in food supplements. Nerve agents for monitoring the body’s surroundings – such as electrolytes, metabolites, and hormones – are other viable targets.
The beauty of these sensors is that they are non-invasive, as you do not need to physically take a sample of blood. However, everything needs to be validated by comparing to blood, which is the gold standard, so we must also validate without controlled conditions. Other challenges include changes in the surrounding temperature, e.g., when running around in the summer compared to in winter. Common bioreceptor, such as enzymes are not so stable in uncontrolled extreme conditions.
There is also the issue of bio-fouling. In terms of mobility, it is easy to measure your steps, calories, or ECG artery as these are physical characteristics. However, when it comes to chemical sensing, you need a bioreceptor, and you need to immobilize it to make it stable. This is why we do not have many of these except glucose.
It is a great honor to have been presented with this award, especially as I knew Ralph Adam personally. Ralph Adam passed away in 2002; he was a fantastic scientist and, more importantly, a wonderful person. He had a vision and shared my idea to make receptors simple but creative.
He was the first to put electrodes in the brain of small animals and gain insight into the neurochemicals of the brain. This was back in the 70s. At present, I am now putting electrodes in the skin. The progression in this field is astounding, but it would not have been possible without great scientists like Ralph.
International Conference on Organic Chemistry
https://organic-chemistry-
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