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P2054
Label Free Holographic Biosensors for Drug Discovery
Presenter Eu Vian Tan, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Additional Authors: Theresa Pell, Christopher Lowe
Utilisation of holographic sensors as novel, generic, label-free, selective, cost-effective, robust and reproducible detection systems for biological screening is currently under study. A prototype enzyme-based sensor has been constructed, with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as the model enzyme. pH-responsive reflection holograms, incorporated into ‘smart’ hydrogel films bearing ionisable monomers, serve as the transducer system to monitor the pH change as a result of acetic acid production upon hydrolysis of the substrate, acetylcholine. AChE was successfully immobilised on the sensor surface with high retention of activity and stability. IC50s for some commercial drug inhibitors were determined, with comparable results being achieved to those obtained from biochemical plate-based assays. With further benchmarking and optimisation in place, this system could be rendered amenable to other useful sensor applications. The feasibility of incorporating these holographic sensors into an ‘array-like’ format to substantiate their potential use as high-throughput screening tools will form the basis of future investigation.