The long-term objective of the proposed program is the development of a rapid and reliable pulsed amperometric sensor capable of continuously monitoring the biologically derived nitric oxide (NO). The NO sensor would provide scientists and clinicians with immediate. continuous and accurate levels of NO released from cultured cells or tissues. NO was recently shown to have a wide range of biological activities. They include: blood- pressure regulation, clotting, immunology, neurotransmission, potency and vasorelaxation. A NO sensor is of timely importance in order to further discover new roles of NO in biomedicine, and for medical diagnosis and treatment. Methods commonly employed for the detection of NO are indirect and can only measure the amount of NO released during an interval of time. An electrochemical method currently available is capable of being direct and continuous. but has been subject to interference. The specific aims of Phase I of this SBIR program are: (1) design and fabricate a prototype NO sensor; (2) develop a pulsed-scan program for reducing chemical interference and for continuous activation of the sensor; and (3) evaluation of the method and the sensor in a physiologic buffer solution and in biologic fluids.Proposed commercial application:A pulsed amperometric sensor could have extensive use in biology, physiology, pharmacology and clinical diagnosis. The potential market for such a measuring device is expected to be similar to those of Ion-selective electrodes. And as more and more roles of NO's biological functions are revealed as evident from the explosion of publications since 1987, e.g. 1976-84 has 127 publications. In 1985-89, 180 publications, and 1990-mid '94 there has been 2,151 publications. The market for this sensor could reach the level achieved by the electrochemical oxygen sensors.National Institute fo General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
