Detection Challenges in Clinical Diagnostics

Professor Pankaj Vadgama's particular interest is biosensors, where he has developed permselective, biocompatible, and biomimetic polymeric membranes capable of stable transduction in whole blood and tissue. Both in vivo and in vitro work has been undertaken, including the use of miniaturized devices for glucose and lactate monitoring, immunosensing, and interrogation of tissue-material interactions. Current research work includes interfacial problems relating to sensor/biomaterial contact with the biomatrix, and the generalizable insights that may emerge from this. Projects include: spider silk for tissue engineering, materials for implantable electronic devices, microfluidic based separation, cell-surface interactions, biomaterial degradation dynamics, conducting polymers as biomaterials, tissue bioreactor design, and cochlear implant electrodes.

Dr. Serban Peteu's research interest is in biosensors, where he has advanced methods to detect metal ions or monitor nitro-oxidative stress in biological fluids. Both electrochemical and optochemical sensing have been investigated, furthermore the response being enhanced via hybrid organic-inorganic nano-architectures. Present work involves nanowire based bio-catalytic interfaces for electrochemical and field-effect sensors. Projects include: semiconductor based lancet type biosensors, electroactive polymers soft actuators, bioreactors designed and fabricated for vaccine research and for water remediation, other equipment and devices to improve the quality of life.