An Optical Aptamer-Based Carbon Nanosensor for Cortisol Detection

<p>Cortisol is a hormone related to numerous biological functions. This hormone is primarily associated with regulating the body’s stress response, including its effects on metabolism, immune function, and energy balance. Additionally, it plays a critical role in maintaining physiological homeostasis during periods of physical or psychological stress. Consequently, it is critical to monitor levels of this hormone to understand different vital processes it can impact. This work presents the development of an optical aptamer-based carbon nanosensor for the detection of cortisol. The sensor utilizes single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) functionalized with a specific DNA aptamer to achieve high specificity and sensitivity. This work touches on the importance of solvent selection in preserving the optical properties of SWCNTs while allowing for effective hormone solubilization. Results indicate that the sensor can detect cortisol concentrations from 37.5 μg/mL to 300 μg/mL and can distinguish cortisol from estrogen. Challenges remain in detecting lower cortisol concentrations relevant for clinical applications, necessitating further optimization of the sensor's sensitivity. This research can lead to more rapid and lower cost point-of-care testing for cortisol, ultimately improving health outcomes.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Kretli Zanetti, Jessica

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ryan M. Williams

• Cortisol
• Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs)
• Optical Sensor
• Hormone Measurement
• NIR (Near-Infrared) Spectroscopy
• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/1277

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:cc_etds_theses-2296