The Society for Molecular Imprinting
The Society for Molecular Imprinting
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death in Western countries, with an estimated annual cost of £19 billion to the UK economy. This project will investigate the development of novel thermal sensors to determine cardiac biomarker levels. We will use a sensor platform that combines polymeric nanoparticles with high affinity for cardiac biomarkers with thermal detection, which offers the advantages of fast detection (<10 min), low-cost (~£1/chip) and easy data interpretation. These sensors can be operated for point-of-care purposes that will allow rapid clinical decision-making and has great potential to improve patient outcome.
In the context of this project, 'Development of thermal sensors with synthetic recognition elements (high affinity nanoparticles) for the detection of cardiac biomarkers' we will build on our recent work on high affinity nanoparticles for specific proteins [Canfarotta et al., Nanoscale, 2018, DOI:10.1039/C7NR07785H) to troponin and other novel biomarkers including H-FABP and ST2. These nanoparticles will then be functionalized onto sensors and measured with patented thermal technology that have previously been developed by Dr Peeters. The thermal response of those sensors will be determined in buffered and more complex samples, including relevant clinical samples.
Parameters that will be considered include selectivity of the system, limits of detection, accuracy and precision of the sensors. The system will be benchmarked using immunoassays and electrochemical detection methods to demonstrate how we can improve to current state of the art biomarker sensor systems.
You should have, or be in the final stages of, a PhD degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or a materials related subject. You will be keen to learn new experimental techniques, publish papers and present your work at conferences. Experience in organic synthesis, particularly nanoparticle synthesis, and work in the area of (thermal) biosensors would be beneficial but not essential.
The project will be full-time for 9 months.
Please attach your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the person specification attached.
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Marloes Peeters, m.peeters@mmu.ac.uk
If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you.
| Posted on 22 February 2018 at 13:29:35 by Marloes Peeters |  |
