Zinc & Copper Biosensor

Detection method: Fluorescence-based (Figure 1)

Sample types: Biological samples, Environmental samples

Sensitivity: 1 μM (Cu & Zn)

Range: 1-12.5 µM (Cu) 1-100 µM (Zn)

Assay formats: The Copper test can be deployed in a semi-quantitative format for field-testing water samples, as well as a quantitative lab-based test.

Assay time: 1hr (<5min hands‑on time) for lab test. 15 min for field kit.

• Easy to use
• Unique specificity and sensitivity to copper ions and zinc
• Large window of concentrations due to the unique dual sensing system
• Easy scouting
• Fingerprint profiling (i.e. distinction between zinc and copper is possible)
• Non-toxic
• Water soluble
• Low concentration of reagent (1 μM)
• Low volume of sample (20 μL)

• Environmental testing for pollution (test for maximum containment level of copper)
• Soil micronutrient measurement
• Nutritional epidemiology
• R&D for chelators
• In vitro diagnostics

The university are interesting in licensing the technology for commercial applications.

Seeking:

• Licensing

• A/Prof Patrick Schaeffer
• Dr Alanna Sorenson