Graphene Transistor-Based Printable Electronics for Wearable Biosensing Applications

Graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) is becoming an increasingly popular biosensing platform for monitoring health conditions through biomarker detection. Moreover, the graphene’s 2-dimensional geometry makes it ideal for implementing flexible or wearable electronic devices. By using a GFET platform as a biosensor, users can easily monitor numerous health conditions. A sweat-based biosensor can non-invasively monitor levels of proteins in the body and alert the user to possible issues such as a steep increase or decrease in a particular protein. By creating a platform that can be used as a wearable biosensor, it allows for rapid results and a cheaper way to provide clinical quality data about one’s health conditions. This thesis presents a novel approach for creating a low cost, reliable and selective, wearable biosensor for real-time observation and tracking of the levels of the protein biomarker Interleukin-6 (IL-6). A printable graphene transistor-based biosensor is created by using a PCB printer on a flexible Kapton substrate. The conductive channel of the GFET is created using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene layer. By functionalizing (or modifying) the graphene surface with biorecognition elements such as antibodies or aptamers in the channel of the device, the GFET can operate as a biosensor. When various levels of IL-6 were introduced into the GFET device, the target proteins bind to the aptamers causing a change in the charge carrier concentration. The device is able to monitor in real-time the levels of IL-6 by observing the drain-to-source current of the GFET which correlates to the IL-6 concentration being measured. The device implemented contains an integrated current meter which is one of the building blocks for creating a wearable electronic biosensor

Alien Registration- Laliberte, Sedulie (Waterville, Kennebec County)

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Alien Registration- Laliberte, Sarah (Waterville, Kennebec County)

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An Analysis of CRISPR-Cas Gene Editing in Agriculture

The CRISPR-Cas system is a promising form of gene editing, especially for the agriculture industry. The ability to make single-nucleotide edits within a gene of interest, without the need to introduce foreign DNA, is a powerful tool for designing healthier and more efficient crops and food animals. This system provides opportunity for increased nutritional value, decreased food waste, and more economically and environmentally sustainable food production. Though this biotechnology is facing mechanistic limitations due to off-target effects and inefficient homology-directed repair, vast improvements have already been made to improve its efficacy. The CRISPR-Cas system is already the most advanced form of gene editing available. This paper also discusses the regulation of gene-edited agricultural products. While countries such as Australia recognize that gene editing cannot be distinguished from natural mutations and evolution, other entities such as the European Union treat these food products as genetically modified organisms, which subjects them to strict regulatory processes and testing. These conflicting policies will lead to novel effects on international trade. Though the CRISPR-Cas system is facing many mechanistic and regulatory challenges, and significant factors such as the public’s opinion still need to be considered, it still has great potential to improve the global agriculture industry and provide a more sustainable future

Alien Registration- Laliberte, Alphonse (Augusta, Kennebec County)

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Alien Registration- Laliberte, Sophie (Lewiston, Androscoggin County)

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Alien Registration- Laliberte, Sophie (Waterville, Kennebec County)

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