Molecular Imprinting
The development of novel electrochemical biosensors with selective shape, size, and binding affinity to the analyte of interest for in vivo applications. We are currently using this technique for two different projects:
Project A: Why are painful memories impossible to forget?
Extreme stress/pain at the time of trauma results in an excess release of neurochemicals that results in the creation of strong memories of the trauma. Endogenous neuropeptides are one class of these neurochemicals: it is a naturally produced painkiller to deal with the pain, but also participates in memory formation (though its exact role is unclear). We hypothesize that there is a relationship between neuropeptide levels and classical neurotransmitters (i.e. glutamate, dopamine, serotonin, etc) that ultimately plays a role in the etiology of PTSD. We are thus developing novel, rapid sensing devices to test this hypothesis.
Project B: How can your gut affect your mood and even cause depression?
In recent years, there has been a new hypothesis that bacteria in the gut play a crucial role in altering not just our brain chemistry, but also our behavior, including the ability to cause depression. There is indirect evidence that unpredictable chronic stress can alter gut bacteria, which regulate the breakdown of tryptophan into serotonin, altering the amount of serotonin in the brain, resulting in depression-like
behaviors. Low serotonin is linked to depression. We aim to develop a tryptophan sensor to test this hypothesis. This work will ultimately elucidate the influence of the gut microbiome on the brain and reveal new therapeutics for depression.