2009/07/02 > eTech France 228 > Engineering a Single Odor-Sensitive Bionose

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		Special Report Engineering a Single Odor-Sensitive Bionose http://www.bulletins-electroniques.com/actualites/59797.htm The FEMTO-ST Optics Department, a Joint Research Unit partnered with the CNRS and attached to Franche-Comté University (UFC), the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et de Microtechniques (ENSMM, graduate school of mechanical engineering and microtechnologies), and Belfort-Montbéliard Technological (UTMB), brings together about 500 people. At the Department, the Biophotonics Team headed by Professor Tijani Gharbi is working on the development of an amazing bionose that is sensitive to a single odor. The first application will focus on the detection of a very stable molecule called TCA that attacks cork stoppers. Tijani Gharbi explains their work. Interview by Jean-François Desessard. BE France - How did you come up with the idea of a bionose? Tijani Gharbi - We realized that although there are high-resolution gas sensors, they are all fitted with chemical transducers, and required electronic processing. This kind of equipment has a defect, i.e., saturation problems in humid environments. In these conditions, we opted for the following solution: design a biosensor based on the use of an olfactory neuron taken from a mouse, immobilized on a silicon plate onto which two electrodes are arranged. We engineered the device in the early 2000's. However, our solution also had an inconvenience, i.e., the life span of a sample olfactory neuron is five weeks tops. BE France - So, did you try to devise another solution? Tijani Gharbi - Absolutely. We decided to use something called Odorant Binding Proteins (OBP, a discovery that earned the scientist the 2004 Nobel Prize in Medicine). The highly hydrophilic molecules are odor messengers whereas odors are very hydrophobic. The molecules are somewhat like a calyx enclosing the odor and conveying it to the transmitter through the mucous membrane. We worked with Loïc Briand, a Research Director at the FLAVIC Joint Research Unit (INRA, Dijon) who developed the required OBP, and with Guillaume Herlem, an Associate Professor at Franche-Comté University who has managed to make thin OBP layers. As part of our joint work with the two men, our team designed a system that can pick up an odor. Now, we would like to coat the inside of the calyx with a single molecule, or even a single chemical link that will only accept a single odor. The best possible sensor is the kind that is only sensitive to a single odor. BE France - Are you already working on applications? Tijani Gharbi - As part of a joint project with an industry operator, we are now working on the first application. The purpose is to detect TCA (trichloroanisole). This very stable molecule attacks cork-stoppers. Actually, we have already filed a patent. Generally speaking, this type of sensor could lead to numerous applications, particularly in cosmetics or food processing. But industry operators are still a bit reluctant, as the field is quite new and there are still few of scientists working on this worldwide. However, our team is staying in the lead. BE France - Your team's research is of interest to many fields, especially medicine where you work with different teams. What kind of applications are being looked into? Tijani Gharbi - For us, biophotonics means researching optic-sensitive biological markers and engineering sensors that can detect skin cancer non-invasively. Actually, we have developed a probe that can be used to detect early melanoma. You see, cancer cells produce large amounts of a molecule called protoporphyrin. We have developed and patented a spectroscopic system comprising a cylindrical 12-centimeter probe with a 3-centimeter diameter. The system can measure molecule fluorescence, thus providing the physician with an indication on the development stage of melanoma. The probe, which is operational in the lab, is being transferred to industry.	>> Suivant Version imprimable >> Transmettre cette info par email >> Recommander ce site à un collègue / ami >> S'abonner au eTech France >> FAQ / foire aux questions >> Conditions d'utilisation >>


	Pour en savoir plus, contacts :	FEMTO-ST - Optics Department - Biophotonics Team - Tijani Gharbi - Phone: +33 (0)3 81 66 64 61 - email: tijani.gharbi@univ-fcomte.fr	Code brève ADIT : 59797

	Rédacteur :	ADIT - Jean-François Desessard - email: jfd@adit.fr


	Origine :	eTech France numéro 228 (2/07/2009) - ADIT / ADIT - http://www.bulletins-electroniques.com/actualites/59797.htm

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