Development of a fluorescence-based protease biosensor using nanoscale platforms

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on May 23, 2011).Thesis advisors: Dr. Sheila A. Grant, Dr. Shubhra Gangopadhyay.Ph. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2010.The development of a protease biosensor utilizing nanomaterials is presented in this dissertation. Peptide substrates and nanomaterial platforms were investigated to increase the sensitivity and response time for the detection of protease analytes. Nano-sized platforms, including nanoparticles and nanofibers, offer the advantage of a higher surface area-to-volume ratio contributing to increased immobilization points and a capability of an enhance signal output. Nanoparticles (Silica Nanoparticles, Quantum Dots, and Gold Nanoparticles) in solution and solid surface (Polymer) nanofibers were tested with immobilized peptide substrates that contained fluorophores to acquire fluorescence for signal transduction. A full characterization was accomplished through a variety of optical characterization techniques and an optimized protocol has been developed for each of the sensing systems. The results from these studies are reported for each of the sensing platforms with response to protease analytesIncludes bibliographical reference