The Problem
An implantable glucose biosensor that would continuously monitor blood sugar levels would revolutionize diabetes management. A major obstacle to realizing this technology is “biofouling” of the biosensor surface – adsorption of proteins and cells (part of the foreign body response) which quickly blocks glucose diffusion leading to sensor failure.
What we are doing
The goal of our research is to develop a “self-cleaning membrane” using thermoresponsive hydrogels designed to periodically “clean off” proteins and cells in order to restore glucose diffusion and extend biosensor lifetime.
Publications on this research
A self-cleaning, mechanically robust membrane for minimizing the foreign body reaction: towards extending the lifetime of sub-Q glucose biosensors
Means, A.K.; Dong, P.; Clubb, Jr, F.J.; Friedemann, M.C.; Colvin, L.E.; Shrode, C.A.; Coté, G.L; Grunlan, M.A. “A self-cleaning, mechanically robust membrane for minimizing the foreign body reaction: towards extending the lifetime of sub-Q glucose biosensors,” J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 2019, 30, 79.
View the ArticleA layer-by-layer (LbL) approach to retain an optical glucose sensing assay within the cavity of a hydrogel membrane
Locke, A.K.; Means, A.K.; Dong, P.; Nichols, T.J.; Coté, G.L.; Grunlan, M.A. “A layer-by-layer (LbL) approach to retain an optical glucose sensing assay within the cavity of a hydrogel membrane,” ACS Applied Bio Mater., 2018, 1, 1319-1327.
View the ArticleForeign body reaction to a subcutaneously implanted self-cleaning, thermoresponsive hydrogel membrane for implanted glucose biosensors
Abraham, A.A.; Means, A.K.; Clubb, Jr, F.J.; Fei, R.; Locke, A.K.; Gacasan, E.G.; Coté, G.L; Grunlan, M.A. “Foreign body reaction to a subcutaneously implanted self-cleaning, thermoresponsive hydrogel membrane for implanted glucose biosensors,” ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng., 2018, 4, 4104-4111.
View the ArticleThermoresponsive double network hydrogels with exceptional mechanical properties
Means, A.K.; Ehrhardt, D.A.; Whitney, L.V.; Grunlan, M.A. “Thermoresponsive double network hydrogels with exceptional mechanical properties,” Macromol. Rapid Comm., 2017, 38, 1700351-1700357.
View the ArticleSelf-cleaning, thermoresponsive P(NIPAAm-co-AMPS) double network membranes for implanted glucose biosensors
Fei, R., Means, A.K., Abraham, A.A.; Locked, A.K.; Coté; G.L.; Grunlan, M.A.. “Self-cleaning, thermoresponsive P(NIPAAm-co-AMPS) double network membranes for implanted glucose biosensors,” Macromol. Mater. Eng., 2016, 301, 935-943.
View the ArticleThermoresponsive double network micropillared hydrogels for cell release
Fei, R.; Hou, H.; Munoz-Pinto, D.; Han, A.; Hahn, M.S.; Grunlan, M.A. “Thermoresponsive double network micropillared hydrogels for cell release,” Macromol. Biosci.; 2014, 14, 1346-1352.
A self-cleaning membrane to extend the lifetime of an implanted glucose biosensor
Abraham, A.A.; Fei, R.; Coté, G.L.; Grunlan, M.A. “A self-cleaning membrane to extend the lifetime of an implanted glucose biosensor,” ACS Appl. Mater. & Interfaces, 2013, 5, 12832-12838.
View the ArticleUltra strong thermoresponsive hydrogels
Fei, R.; George, J.T.; Means, A.K.; Grunlan, M.A. “Ultra strong thermoresponsive hydrogels,” Soft Matter. 2013, 9, 2912-2919.
View the ArticleThermoresponsive nanocomposite double network nanocomposite hydrogels
Fei, R.; George, J.T.; Park, J., Grunlan, M.A. “Thermoresponsive nanocomposite double network nanocomposite hydrogels,” Soft Matter 2012, 8, 481-487.
View the ArticleThermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogels: Transparency, rapid deswelling and cell release
Hou, Y.; Fei, R.; Burkes, J.C.; Lee, S.D., Munoz-Pinto, D.; Hahn, M.S.; Grunlan, M.A. “Thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogels: Transparency, rapid deswelling and cell release,” J. Biomat. Tissue Eng. 2011, 1, 93-100.
View the Article