Pioneering Ln-MOF based Luminescent Probes for Alzheimer's Diagnostics

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting tens of millions worldwide. As we are in the nascent stages of devising diagnostic and therapeutic tools for AD, there is a critical need for early detection techniques. To this end, we are proposing to develop a biosensing platform (LUMOS-AD) based on the use of lanthanide-based luminescent nano-metal (LUMOS) organic frameworks (MOFs) for the targeted recognition of early-stage AD biomarkers.

LUMOS-AD taps into the unique optical properties of lanthanide ions. These luminescent MOFs, characterized by expansive surface areas and adjustable porosities, act as nanoscale probes. Suitably functionalized, they can identify AD biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and the inclusion of lanthanide ions in MOFs enhances their photostability, yielding prolonged luminescence lifetimes, thereby amplifying the signal-to- noise ratio in detection.

Our project revolves around three main objectives:

1. MOF Design and Synthesis: Here, LUMOS-AD will generate luminescent MOFs, refining their structure for effective biomarker adsorption. Techniques like X-ray crystallography and photoluminescence spectroscopy will verify MOF functionality.

2. Biosensing Platform Development: We will build a robust platform using luminescent MOFs as the key detection elements. Surface treatments will attach specific antibodies to MOFs, enhancing their selectivity.

3. Early-stage AD Biomarker Detection: We will assess the capability of our platform to precisely identify AD biomarkers in clinical samples, with evaluations of its sensitivity and selectivity.

Implementing LUMOS-AD promises to greatly facilitate quantitative and widely accessible AD diagnostics, potentially pioneering early detection and opening avenues for more tailored treatments, advancing our battle against AD.