Synthesis and Characterization of Sol-Gel Monoliths as Glucose Biosensors

Silica sol-gels are porous materials formed through a series of chemical reactions: hydrolysis, condensation, and polymerization using a silicon alkoxide starting material such as tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) or tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Sol-gels are often used to protect heat and humidity sensitive biomolecules in order to maintain maximum functionality. This project focuses on encapsulating glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase in the pores of the silica network to develop a biosensor capable of detecting glucose. Enzymatic activity of glucose oxidase will be monitored by the oxidation of 3,3\u27,5,5\u27-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Absorbance data will be analyzed through Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk plots to determine the enzymatic kinetics and the functionality of the sol-gel glucose biosensors