Optimizing Electrode Surface Interactions for Estradiol in Brain Detection

Abstract

Record: 236

Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring

Student Major: Chemistry

Project Advisor: Ashley Ross

Abstract: Estradiol is the most prevalent type of estrogen in many biological processes, including as a rapidly released neuromodulator in the striatum and hippocampus. An expansive number of electrochemical sensors have been made for detection of estradiol in wastewater. However, these sensors do not currently extend to detection in a tissue structure due to limited selectivity and sensitivity and substandard spatiotemporal resolution. Fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is commonly used to monitor rapidly released neurochemicals; however, estradiol is poorly detected using traditional carbon fibers with FSCV. E2 is a sterol, so interactions at the electrode surface are likely different than those with amine functionalization, like most neurochemicals measured with FSCV. We use a wide range of experiments on three different fibers (TS30, MS40, HS40) to determine surface sensitivity, degree of absorption, and E2 orientation at the electrode surface. We analyze the characteristic behaviors of estradiol at different surfaces and determine each material's electrochemical surface characteristics.. The findings from SEM, Raman mapping, and XPS will be used to obtain characterization at the surface of the electrode. Oxygen modification and nitrogen modification are used to determine E2's ability to absorb at the electrodes surface. The results of these experiments will allow better detection of estradiol with FSCV leading to sensitive and selective monitoring of estradiol signaling in the brain.