Technologies

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed a novel molecule that enables continuous glucose monitoring using conductimetric measurements. This new recognition molecule binds glucose with affinity and selectivity, and changes charge after binding with glucose in physiological conditions. Both the glucose binding and the change in charge alter the conductivity of the solution. Thus, the conductivity of the solution is characterized by its glucose level. Conductimetric methods can be used to generate continuous and quantitative measurements of glucose in physiological conditions, offering long-term stability at a low cost and a high potential for miniaturization. Furthermore, this molecule can be applied to other methods based on glucose induced charge changes.