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Researchers at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University have developed a new coating technology to extend the lifespan of implantable and wearable biosensors. These biosensors, which monitor biological molecules in the body, often stop working due to biofouling, where bacteria, immune cells, or molecules accumulate on their surface, blocking their function. The new coating prevents this issue, allowing biosensors to remain effective for weeks instead of days.
The team created the coating using a combination of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and functionalized graphene. The BSA forms a protective barrier that prevents unwanted interactions, while the graphene ensures strong electrical signaling. This coating also allows biosensors to retain their detection capabilities while resisting bacterial biofilms and immune cell activation, two key factors that usually limit their effectiveness.
To test their innovation, the researchers applied the coating to biosensors designed to detect inflammatory proteins. Over more than three weeks, these sensors remained functional in complex human plasma while preventing the adhesion of fibroblast cells and biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium known for creating antibiotic-resistant infections. This extended performance marks a significant improvement over traditional biosensors.
The study, published in Biosensors, highlights how this new technology could enable long-term monitoring for chronic and autoimmune disease patients, as well as improve clinical trials by providing continuous physiological data. The research team believes that this advancement could lead to more reliable biosensors for measuring biological signals in various organs, including the brain.
Some of the Wyss Institute’s electrochemical biosensor technologies are already being commercialized by the startup StataDX, which focuses on detecting molecular changes in the brain using blood samples. The new coating follows this tradition of innovation, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution for manufacturing biosensors that work reliably inside the body over extended periods.
The Wyss Institute has patented this technology and is actively seeking industry partners to bring it to real-world applications. This development removes a key barrier in biosensor technology, paving the way for more advanced diagnostic tools in personalized medicine and digital health.
