University of Warsaw team develops a graphene-matrix with potential for medicine and food applications

Researchers at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Warsaw in Poland have developed a new graphene matrix, as a functional substrate for immobilizing enzymes, and the method of its preparation. The newly-patented graphene matrix may find applications in the food and medicine industries, like the production of biosensors and other electronic devices (eg. bands, tattoos).

Diagram of a lactate biosensor composed of a graphene matrix and a lactate oxidase enzyme, deposited on a carbon electrode

The invention is used as a stable system with high sensitivity, not only in analytical biosensors, but also in bio-fuel cells used in medicine, biology and chemical biocatalysis. The solution concerns the enzymatic (protein) sensor construction for detection of lactates, which can be used in the food industry and medicine for the production of biosensors.

The biosensor is innovative thanks to the use of graphene, which due to the appropriate chemical modification of the benzopyrrole derivative, is a highly conductive electrocatalytic system and a stable matrix for the immobilization of biological molecules (proteins, enzymes, etc.). It is possible due to the functional groups (carboxylic) of the benzopyrrolic acid derivative, which also acts as a transmitter, but also stabilizes the system and prevents the combining of graphene flakes.

The new method of graphene modification and proper arrangement and selection of layer components significantly affect their bioelectrocatalytic reactivity to the substance (lactate) being determined, and as a result gives a stable system with very high sensitivity.

This project is supported by The University Technology Transfer Centre (UTTC UW), which is also looking for partners to commercialize and spin off the technology. A patent application and PCT phase are currently in progress, with models of biosensor to confirm it works.