Thesis

Glucose sensing based on the intrinsic time dependent flourescence from proteins : application of pulsed ultraviolet light emitting diodes and sol-gel derived matrices

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2006
Thesis identifier
  • T11625
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Abstract
  • The use of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence is a key tool available to the protein researcher when investigating protein dynamics. Until recently, the sources required for excitation of intrinsic fluorescence decays from proteins were bulky, expensive or high maintenance. Compact aluminium gallium nitride ultraviolet light-emitted diodes have been demonstrated in this work to be ideal sources for excitation of protein intrinsic fluorescence decays, and associated fluorescence anisotropy, with ease of use, fast collection times and reproducible results. Their compact nature lends themselves to the eventual fabrication of “lab-on-a-chip” metabolite sensors based on fluorescence decays. Specific molecular recognition has many applications in medicine. It is possible to sense for metabolites by entrapping biomolecules in silica sol-gel derived matrices, providing the resultant sol-gel is biocompatible, porous and ultraviolet transparent. This work shows that this can be achieved in using simple methods. Utilising the new pulsed ultraviolet light emitting diodes, it is now easy to use the information contained within a biomolecule’s intrinsic fluorescence decay as a possible method for in vivo monitoring. The ease of use of these devices has also provided further insight in to the way in which the fluorescence of the enzyme hexokinase is influenced by the binding of glucose. In addition, as shown in this work, they can provide information on the nature of the sol-gel microenvironment in a quick and convenient way.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Birch, David
Resource Type
DOI

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