07/10/2023
By Kwok Fan Chow

The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a Ph.D. dissertation defense by Young Kwan Cho entitled “Study of Electrochemiluminescence and Electrochemistry for Developing Ultra-Sensitive Biomarker Detection System.”

Degree: Doctoral
Location: Olney, Room 518
Date: Monday, July 24, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.

Committee Chairs:
Prof. Jay Hoon Park, Department of Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Prof. Kwok-Fan Chow, co-Chair, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:
Prof. Hakho Lee, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School
Prof. David Ryan, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Prof. Pengyuan Liu, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
We developed the ECLipse system, an advanced Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) system that improves ECL capabilities through separation of ECL generation and target detection processes and optimized electrode design. The 8-plex ECLipse system demonstrated superior sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratios compared to traditional ECL assays and even outperformed ELISA in sensitivity. Clinical studies showed successful detection of septic conditions and distinctive patterns in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, we investigated the use of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4-DMAP) as a coreactant, which significantly enhanced ECL signals compared to the commonly used TPrA. The [Ru(bpy)3]2+/4-DMAP ECL system enabled ultra-sensitive immunoassays and the detection of protein markers in extracellular vesicles.

Moreover, our research extended beyond ECL to explore the potential of electrochemical sensing. This technique offers high sensitivity and compatibility with compact readout systems, making it highly promising for biomarker detection. To address adverse food reactions, we developed the integrated food allergen detection (iFAD) system, a portable and rapid electrochemical detection technology specifically designed for food allergens. iFAD achieved high-detection sensitivities for three major food antigens and the entire process can be completed in less than 15 minutes.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.