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High School Student with a Traditionally Underrepresented Background

HS Poster

Poster 102 - Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Sensors for Theophylline Detection in Breast Milk

Saturday, October 26, 2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Hall E, F & G

Introduction: Theophylline is a drug used to treat pulmonary diseases such as asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). However, its modern application has decreased due to its narrow therapeutic range. Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic window with a serum level between 28-111 μM. Doses below this range are ineffective, while doses above it can cause cardiac arrhythmia, convulsions, and death. Additionally, almost 70% of the mother's serum theophylline can be secreted into breast milk, making it potentially harmful to breastfed babies. There is a severe lack of studies on the monitoring of theophylline levels. Here, we develop an electrochemical analyzer for the quantification of theophylline in breast milk. This device can help mothers estimate theophylline levels in their blood and quantify its presence in breast milk to prevent infant intoxication.

Materials and

Methods: In this work, we developed a sensor using electrochemical electrodes made from laser-induced graphene (LIG). LIG-based electrodes are easy to fabricate, highly reproducible, scalable, cost-effective, and suitable for flexible electronics. The surface area of the working electrode was defined using polyimide insulating tape, and the reference electrode was created using Ag/AgCl ink. The electrodes were fabricated on polyimide film using a laser source with a wavelength of 9.3 μm. Sensor performance was evaluated using square wave voltammetry.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:

Results:

The sensor developed was able to detect Theophylline in both PBS and breast milk, using voltammetry . A calibration curve for both PBS and breast milk was developed. The developed theophylline sensor demonstrated the ability to quantify theophylline in a wide detection range including the therapeutic range.

Conclusion:

A sensitive, selective, and accurate sensor was successfully developed in the desired range. Further research and development on Theophylline and biosensors can lead to simple Theophylline quantification through cost-effectiveness and device for at home settings.

Acknowledgements (Optional): I'm grateful for all the things I've learned during my time at SHINE. I want to thank my mentor Abdulrahman and our primary investigator Dr. Maral Mousavi. Thank you to the USC SHINE coordinators. And shout-out to Ms. Tara Morris and my SHINE friends.

References (Optional): [1] R. Rennie and J. Law, A Dictionary of Chemistry, Seventh edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press USA - OSO, 2016.
[2] P. J. Barnes, “Theophylline,” American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, vol. 188, no. 8, pp. 901–906, 2013, doi:
10.1164/rccm.201302-0388PP.
[3] G. Mahemuti, H. Zhang, J. Li, N. Tieliwaerdi, and L. Ren, “Efficacy and side effects of intravenous theophylline in acute asthma: A
systematic review and meta-analysis,” Drug design, development and therapy, vol. 12, pp. 99–120, 2018, doi:
10.2147/DDDT.S156509.0