Novel Electrochemical Sensor Array for Biofluids

Significance and Research:

      Point-of-care diagnostics is one of the hottest growing areas in biotechnology and medicine. As of today, routine medical diagnostic techniques are still limited in many ways; they are time-consuming, costly, sometimes inaccurate, or even invasive. New tools to quickly and accurately diagnose a wide variety of diseases are currently attracting research interest and funding. Novel electrochemical biosensors detect specific enzyme and protein changes that can be indicative of disease; however, these sensors are limited to testing only one molecular interaction and are unstable over time. In addition, enzymatic sensors ignore small chemical markers within biofluids that are capable of aiding in disease analysis, such as: aldehydes, ketones, and other volatile organic compounds for cancer; hormones for stress-related disorders; and homovanillic acid, vanillylmandelic acid, and other catecholamines for neurological disorders. New sensors that can accurately and quickly measure multiple small chemical markers within biofluids are necessary.

      My research will focus on the development of a novel electrochemical sensor for quick, accurate, and point-of-care disease discrimination via biofluid (e.g. urine) analysis of these small chemical markers. Specifically, non-enzyme electrochemical contacts that use molecular interactions (such as the affinity binding between cyclodextrin and small hydrophobic chemicals) will be used to accurately distinguish a number of different chemical markers. Initially, a single developed sensor will be tested to determine key affinity interactions for enhanced sensing capabilities towards these small chemical markers. Eventually, the new electrochemical sensor will be integrated into an array, with multiple different molecular interactions to probe, and to identify, a range of these small chemical markers accurately. Through statistical analysis (e.g. principle component analysis) we could then successfully determine the “chemical fingerprint” of specific diseases. The electrochemical sensor array will be capable of a long shelf-life and use life-time, and the array will provide data to the patient within minutes instead of days or weeks. After the electrode array is developed, I will seek clinical partners to test various diseases, such as various types of cancer at different stages, neurological diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), and stress-related disorders.

Grants and Honors:

Fulbright Core Postdoctoral Scholar, January 2013

Lady Davis Trust Fellow, January 2013

NIH Musculoskeletal Postdoctoral Trainee, NRSA, T32, April 2011

Advanced Platform Technologies (APT), Veterans Affairs Innovative Initiative Program Role: Co-PI, August 2011

Mentors/Advisors:

Graduate Advisor: Heidi B. Martin, Department of Chemical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

Post-Doctorate Advisor: Horst A. von Recum, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

Fulbright Post-Doctorate Sponsor: Hossam Haick, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology

Teaching and Mentoring Experience:  

      I have extensive mentoring experience (over 8 students in the past 6 yrs). In addition, I have designed and co-instructed a course titled, “Research and Innovation”, and I have been invited to give guest lectures at several universities.

      My general approach to teaching is to give students the opportunity for interaction and discussion through project-based coursework. Undergraduate students typically benefit from applying the material through discussion and interaction. In large classrooms, I intend to break up the students into smaller groups (4-5 students), in order to provide class time for this approach.

Other Presentations at AIChE 2013:

JM Halpern and H Haick. “Molecular-Terminated, Oxide-Free Silicon Nanowire Field Effect Transistors: Effect of the C-C bond Nearest to the Surface” 

JM Halpern, M Keech, A Weinstock, R Mathers, and HA von Recum. “Affinity-Based Thermoset Biodegradable Polymer”

JM Halpern, CA Gormley, M Keech, and HA von Recum. “Sterilization of Anti-Microbial Surface Coatings”

Full CV: http://bit.ly/HalpernCV