Templated xerogels as platforms for biomolecule-less biomolecule sensors.

We report on a new sensor strategy that we have termed protein imprinted xerogels with integrated emission sites (PIXIES). The PIXIES platform is completely self-contained, and it achieves analyte recognition without a biorecognition element (e.g.

Tailored xerogel-based sensor arrays and artificial neural networks yield improved O2 detection accuracy and precision.

The objective of this research is to develop arrays of tuned chemical sensors wherein each sensor element responds to a particular target analyte in a unique manner. By creating sol-gel-derived xerogels that are co-doped with two luminophores at a range of molar ratios, we can form suites of sensor elements that can exhibit a continuum of response profiles. We trained an artificial neural network (ANN) to "learn" to identify the optical outputs from these xerogel-based sensor arrays.

Stable sensors with tunable sensitivities based on class II xerogels.

We report on the analytical figures of merit for O2-responsive sensor arrays and films formed by sequestering tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) within class II organically modified silicates that are composed of tetramethoxysilane or tetraethoxysilane and monoalkylsiloxanes of the form (CnH(2n+1))-Si-(OR)3 (n = 1-12, R = Me or Et). These sensors exhibit a reasonably linear response to gaseous and dissolved O2 (r2 > 0.99), and the sensor responses are stable for over 2 years.

Sol-gel-derived sensor materials that yield linear calibration plots, high sensitivity, and long-term stability.

Novel O2-sensing materials based on spin-coated n-octyltriethoxysilane (Octyl-triEOS)/tetraethylorthosilane (TEOS) composite xerogel films have been synthesized and investigated. These sensors are based on the O2 quenching of tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(dpp)3]2+) sequestered within the xerogels. Scanning electron microscopy and luminescence measurements (steady state and time resolved) have been used to investigate the structure of these films and their analytical figures of merit and determine the underlying reasons for their observed performance.

Tailored delivery of active keratinocyte growth factor from biodegradable polymer formulations.

We report the results of a high throughput screening campaign that is aimed to develop a biodegradable polymer-based formulation to deliver active keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and provide a means to tune the KGF delivery rate. A statistical design strategy was used to prepare and screen a series of polymer blends that were composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and the surfactant sodium bis(ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (Aerosol-OT, AOT). Chloroform was the solvent.

Multianalyte pin-printed biosensor arrays based on protein-doped xerogels.

We report the first biosensor arrays based on pin printing protein-doped xerogels. The individual biosensor elements are on the order of 100 microm in diameter. Arrays are formed (1) onto a planar substrate that is excited by an external source (laser) or (2) directly on the face of a light-emitting diode.