Bermingham, Kobi P. (2022) The Development of a Gamma-(γ)-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Biosensor and Characterisation of an L-Glutamate Biosensor for Neurochemical Analysis. Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
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Abstract
The research presented in this thesis started off as a PhD project with the aim to develop
and characterise an in vitro biosensor appropriate for in vivo detection and monitoring of gamma-
(γ)-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The ambition was simultaneous monitoring of GABA and Lglutamate.
It was also hoped that simultaneous D-serine monitoring would be performed using a
newly developed and validated sensor for this co-agonist of the glutamatergic N-methyl Daspartate
(NMDA) receptor. The development of a GABase-based biosensor was found to be too
large an undertaking and consequently, the research plan converted to refinement of an Lglutamate
biosensor. Some development work (pH and temperature studies) was also performed
on the D-serine biosensor.
Gamma-(γ)-aminobutyric acid is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter but has yet to
receive wide examination in the scientific community. In contrast, L-glutamate, the major
excitatory, neurotransmitter has not only experienced vast amounts of research but is also present
in the public eye unlike GABA. As neurotransmitters are chemicals producing electrical
stimulation in the brain, electrochemical techniques offer a unique insight into their operation and
reactions.
The development of a first generation GABA biosensor used an underlying L-glutamate
biosensor as GABA is the precursor to L-glutamate. An appropriate enzyme unit activity for the
GABase solution was the first barrier to be overcome. After this, the position of the GABase in
the composite design was investigated. This experimentation didn’t garner any results that
suggested a response would be produced. The active surface was examined to ensure that the
production of hydrogen peroxide would be detected. An alternate reaction scheme was also
investigated which didn’t produce any response either. This suggested the enzyme solution was,
at least in part, at fault. Further exploration and refinement of the enzyme solution could potentially
alleviate the issues encountered during this development work.
The characterisation of the L-glutamate biosensor then became the priority. The optimal
composite design was found to be:
Pt/IrC – PoPD – (Sty – GluOx(100 U/mL) – BSA:GA(1.0:0.1 %) – PEI(1%))15
After the optimal design was found and had appropriate sensitivity (90.4 ± 2.0 nA∙cm−2∙μM−1)
comparable to previously reported sensors, the in vitro characterisation was performed. This
consisted of ensuring the biosensor would remain operational after implantation in the extracellular
fluid i.e. under the chemical and physical parameters present in the brain. The shelf-life was found
to be several weeks (28 days) and there was no recorded loss in sensitivity after repeated
calibrations, or exposure to ex vivo rodent brain tissue. The sensor performed as desired under all
physiologically relevant pH and temperature ranges. The interference was mitigated with the use
of poly-ortho-phenylenediamine (PoPD) (interferent species were typically < 5% of the basal
glutamate (10 μM) glutamate response) and reliable detection of L-glutamate was still observed.
Preliminary in vivo characterisation performed in freely moving animals suggested the suitability
of this sensor design for in vivo use. Expected signal changes were observed and a stable baseline
over 16 days. Future work will include further in vivo characterisation and validation of this
biosensor. Tentatively, the dual monitoring of L-glutamate and D-serine would be examined
because of their co-agonist role at the NMDA receptor.
Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
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Keywords: | Gamma-(γ)-Aminobutyric Acid; GABA; Biosensor; L-Glutamate Biosensor; Neurochemical Analysis; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Science and Engineering > Chemistry |
Item ID: | 17082 |
Depositing User: | IR eTheses |
Date Deposited: | 03 Apr 2023 11:02 |
URI: | https://mu.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/17082 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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