Combining the binding proteins, fluorophore pair, and coiled-coil linker arm – we get a beautiful and module construct, that can easily be upgraded or swapped to bind other biomarkers, not just those for CKD diagnostics.
Following a standard assembly protocol, after the identification of the biomarker of interest, protein design and assembly is a rather streamlined process. A careful addition of coils and protein to the system is crucial for proper detection. And the gold biosensor chamber is essential for anchoring of the cysteine tailed coil.
Overview of protein construct design and assembly process. To develop the metabolite biosensor using an immobilized fluorescent binding protein, with cysteine modifications, and the coiled coil system – a schematic overview is created. Process should be followed Left-Right from Protein screening phase to Assembly, respectively. Branching indicates subsequent steps.
We anticipate that while the proposed end user would be a CKD patient, any individual, particularly those that are aging or have declining health would be able to utilize our biosensor to better adjust their diets and monitor their renal and cardiovascular health. Through meeting with CKD researchers, clinicians, and dieticians we foresee our biosensor being a tool that may be used by both a clinician and patient jointly.
Using a mobile application, the device would output biomarker concentrations for the patient to see and that way a patient may make micro adjustments to their diet. For example, cutting a sugary dessert and eating more greens at dinner based off their biomarker data at lunch.
While current protocol in Canada is to collect phosphate every six weeks from patients, having the data collected three times daily after every meal is enough to provide clinicians with meaningful diagnostic data that can influence patient care. Using a removable, disposable, microneedle patch the interstitial fluid can be transferred to the detector device and concentrations of biomarkers are quantified. This makes the disposable part cheap if mass manufactured.
Pause. Safety check. Why didn’t we put the fluorescent binding proteins in the microneedle patch? We don’t want any proteins going the wrong way and into the patient. Having our FGF23 peptide hormones from the competition assay entering the body may be quite a catastrophe.
Now you’re probably wondering why it’s called Velcrion?
Simple. Velcro + ion = Velcrion
Microneedles are so small and painless we like to think of it as human Velcro. Prickly and tickly, without the pain or sight of drawing blood.