Antibodies, generated naturally as part of the adaptive immune response, are early markers for many infectious diseases. Because of their capacity to recognize a vast range of antigenic groups with exquisite specificity, antibodies have been developed as powerful research tools and therapeutic agents. Sensitive, selective antibody detection is a valuable tool for diagnosing infectious diseases. Most current assays and devices for antibody detection are based on variations of the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay). These systems are not readily adapted to detect antibodies in a variety of animal species. We propose to construct a microscale electrochemical/gravimetric device to reach new detection limits that overcomes deficiencies of the standard ELISA. This will be developed particularly for detection of antibodies specific for avian influenza virus (H5N1) that infects a variety of animal species and currently poses a pandemic threat to humans. A critical part of any biosensor is the attachment of the desired biomolecules on the transducer surface. The different components of the proposed device will be discussed and the role played by “polymer brushes” in the development of this biosensor will be emphasized.

Abhinav Rastogi hails from Mumbai ( Bombay ), India . He received his bachelors in Chemistry from the University of Mumbai . He then moved to the US in 2002 to get a Masters in Organic Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he conducted research in the area of Asymmetric Induction. Since 2004, he has been a graduate student here at Cornell and is a member of Chris Ober’s research group in the department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research involves the synthesis and functionalization of polymers and small molecules for biosensing and microelectronics.