# Refreshable Biosensors for Continuous Renal Function Monitoring

> **NIH NIH R21** · TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION · 2020 · $589,100

## Abstract

Project Summary
The goal of the proposed exploratory research is to design and develop novel refreshable biosensors that
overcome key fundamental challenges associated with existing biosensors to achieve real-time, quantitative,
continuous monitoring of protein biomarkers in complex body fluids, including urine, blood, interstitial fluid, saliva
and sweat. Conventional techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western Blot, and
mass spectrometry have enabled discovery and study of proteins in biological samples. These conventional
bioassays are typically limited to one-time or short time use due to the poor stability of biological recognition
elements. Furthermore, they rely on additional reagents or pH change to remove bound analytes for reusability.
These traditional processes are not compatible with wearable and implantable devices for continuous molecular
monitoring. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop refreshable biosensors that enable real-time,
quantitative, continuous monitoring of protein biomarkers in complex body fluids. In this investigation, acute
kidney injury (AKI) is employed as a disease model. Various protein biomarkers including tissue inhibitor of
metalloproteinases-2, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin
have been identified for early diagnosis/prognosis of AKI. Each biomarker has a specific time course in a specific
setting of injury. Continuously monitoring a panel of AKI biomarkers relevant to physiologic and pathophysiologic
processes in the injured tissue is very important, considering that AKI can evolve quickly. However, current
protein quantification technologies cannot determine when an insult actually happens in the clinical setting, and
fail to provide real-time evaluation of renal function for prompt clinical interventions. The long-term goal is to
transform kidney disease treatment by developing a fully wireless, miniaturized, multifunctional biosensor that
can be directly interfaced to a urinary catheter or the internal surface of patient bladder. The overall objective of
this project is to design and develop a novel refreshable biosensor and to demonstrate continuous real-time
monitoring of AKI protein biomarkers in patient urine. Specific aims include: 1. Design and realize biorecognition
elements with high sensitivity, specificity and stability for refreshable biosensors. Based on feasibility studies, the
biorecognition elements achieved by molecular imprinting of polymers exhibit high affinity to target protein
biomarkers and are chemically, thermally, and mechanically stable under extreme conditions, which is critical for
the proposed refreshable biosensor. 2. Design, develop and validate stimulators that locally and focally deliver
surface acoustic energy to refresh biorecognition elements. The primary hypothesis is that locally and focally
delivered high surface acoustic energy can desorb specifically bound target prote...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10057866
- **Project number:** 1R21EB029064-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Limei Tian
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $589,100
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-18 → 2024-09-17

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10057866

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10057866, Refreshable Biosensors for Continuous Renal Function Monitoring (1R21EB029064-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10057866. Licensed CC0.

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