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Designing functional nanoprobes for ultrasensitive and multiplexed biomarker detection

Speaker
Jingyi Luan, Ph.D.
Date
Location
University of Houston
Abstract
Fluorescent probes are the workhorse of fundamental and translational biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. However, low fluorescent signal-to-noise ratios and limitations in multiplexing capabilities remain persistent barriers to biomarker detection. The reliance on bulky readout instruments further limits their application in point-of-care settings.
In this presentation, I will highlight the development of nanoengineered fluorescent probes that achieve a 7,000-fold increase in brightness compared to conventional fluorophores, with minimal nonspecific binding. These advancements have enabled ultrasensitive sensing and imaging across various biomarkers, analytical platforms, and clinical sample types. Additionally, I will demonstrate the design of programmable DNA nanoprobes for highly multiplexed biomarker detection and their application in advancing biomarker discovery for neurological diseases. Finally, I will introduce cutting-edge nanotechnologies to measure disease biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluid, offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional blood tests for point-of-care diagnostics.