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Journal of Materials Science and Nanotechnology | Volume 2
October 29-30, 2018 | London, UK
Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology
International Conference on
Graphene based point of care diagnostics and therapeutics
Jacob Mitchell
Swansea University, UK
Graphene is a 2D material with unique electrical and
mechanical properties. Graphene devices and sensors
promise to be a disruptive technology in next generation
electronics and sensors - due to graphene’s exceptional
electronic properties and aptitude for chemical modification.
Novel graphene sensor technology used to develop sensors,
based on chemically functionalised graphene microchannels,
and their application in lab-on-chip POC (Point-of-Care)
diagnostics will be presented. There are several advantages
of graphene sensors over alternative sensor platforms such
as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or silicon nanowires (SiNWs).
The main benefits of graphene for sensing applications will be
highlighted in a comparison with other materials. Important
considerations for processing of samples using microfluidics
and lab-on-chip technology will be discussed. The latest
developments in integration of diagnostics with therapeutics,
“theranostics”, will be presented – including microneedle
sensors. Microneedles (MNs) are tiny microscopic needles,
much smaller than conventional hypodermic needles, that can
be used to deliver pharmaceutical drugs or vaccines through
the skin into the body in a minimally invasive manner. Targeted
delivery to the layers just beneath the outer surface of the skin
(the stratum corneum) can be used to achieve much more
effective drug or vaccine delivery. We are now combining
diagnostics with therapeutic MNs. The pros and cons of
different MN materials, fabrication techniques and designs will
be reviewed. The sharpness of the MN tips is critical to their
effective skin penetration. A novel “bevelled tip” MN design
is presented which allow sthe MNs to penetrate the skin with
lower insertion forces. In addition, hollow MNs have been
developed – which can be used to inject significant volumes
substances into the skin, compared to coated solid MNs. A
review of vaccines, drugs and other entities that can be injected
into skin will be presented, along with a discussion of MNs in
diagnostic, therapeutic and cosmetic applications.
Speaker Biography
Jacob Mitchell is currently pursuing his PhD in Swansea University, United Kingdom.
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