posted on 2022-01-03, 13:03authored byRafiq
M. Lubken, Arthur M. de Jong, Menno W. J. Prins
Sensors for monitoring
biomolecular dynamics in biological systems
and biotechnological processes in real time, need to accurately and
precisely reconstruct concentration–time profiles. This requirement
becomes challenging when transport processes and biochemical kinetics
are important, as is typically the case for biomarkers at low concentrations.
Here, we present a comprehensive methodology to study the concentration–time
profiles generated by affinity-based sensors that continuously interact
with a biological system of interest. Simulations are performed for
sensors with diffusion-based sampling (e.g., a sensor
patch on the skin) and advection-based sampling (e.g., a sensor connected to a catheter). The simulations clarify how
transport processes and molecular binding kinetics result in concentration
gradients and time delays in the sensor system. Using these simulations,
measured and true concentration–time profiles of insulin were
compared as a function of sensor design parameters. The results lead
to guidelines on how biomolecular monitoring sensors can be designed
for optimal bioanalytical performance in terms of concentration and
time properties.