Fabrication of nanometric probes for the study of biochemical processes by using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Abstract

This research project aims at the development of electrodes with structurally microscopic dimensions, i.e. both the active area of the electrode (conductive fiber) as the insulation coating have dimensions in the micro or nanometer scale. These tips will be employed as sensors coupled to an electrochemical microscope equipment to get high resolution information on the transport of chemical species into cells, tissues and synthetic and biological membranes. The experimental data will be fitted in accordance with existing theories for the diffusion of chemical species in solution, pores and membranes. The technique will be used in the monitoring of mitochondrial oxygen consumption, quantification of reactive oxygen/nitrogen and tioredoxins in macrophages subjected to inflammatory stimuli and studies on the transport of glutathione through cellular membranes. The ultimate goal is to create enough and suitable infrastructure conditions for the full establishment of a reference laboratory in Brazil to carry out experiments with Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM). (AU)