Diabetics must monitor glucose levels several times daily using a finger-prick test.
Implanted glucose biosensor offer the potential for continuous blood sugar monitoring. Unfortunately, membrane biofouling (adhesion of cells and proteins for the tissue) limits the lifetime of the sensor.
Grunlan Group Research:
The ultimate goal of this work is the development of an implantable self-cleaning glucose sensor that, once implanted, could be used to monitor glucose continuously with light from a watch-type of device.
We have prepared thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogel sensor membranes which undergoes cyclical, thermally driven removal of adhered cells.
These membranes should control biofouling and improve the lifetime of glucose biosensors.
