Development of Innovative Antibody-Based Immunoassays for Microplastic Analysis
The Problem
Microplastics are emerging pollutants that have drawn worldwide attention due to their negative impacts on the health of animals, humans, and environment. However, analysis of microplastics for risk assessment and management is a time-consuming process and still relies on expensive and technically demanding equipment. Despite using the state-of-the-art instrumentation, generation of reliable data for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics is still challenging. Developing a cost-effective, user-friendly, sensitive, and reliable analysis tool is urgently needed.
The Solution
Using an innovative approach, for the first time, researchers at the University of Tennessee generated microplastic-specific antibodies for the development of powerful immunoassay technologies. The antibodies specific for polystyrene, a prevalent microplastic, have been produced and demonstrated suitable for analyzing polystyrene in the diverse in vitro and in vivo samples using immunoassays. With aid of such plastic-specific antibodies, ultrasensitive, cost-effective, user-friendly, and reliable immunoassays can be quickly developed using well established technology platforms.
Benefits
| Benefit |
|---|
| Development of plastic-specific antibodies and relevant immunoassays greatly overcomes current technical barrier. |
| This innovative technology will promote the health and sustainability of our planet at different levels, and has enormous market potential. |
More Information
- Derek Eitzmann, Ph.D.
- Assistant Technology Manager, Multi Campus Office
- 865-974-1882 | deitzman@tennessee.edu
- UTRF Reference ID: 22120
- Patent Status:
Innovators
Dr. Jun Lin
Professor, Animal Science
Dr. Lin received his PhD in Animal Science from the Ohio State University in 1998. His research is primarily focused on molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, drug resistance, and development of immune intervention strategies.
Read more about Dr. Jun LinDr. Liu Cao
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Animal Science
Dr. Cao received her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UT Knoxville in 2019. She works on a variety of research projects ranging from environmental health and microbial ecology to animal health.
Read more about Dr. Liu CaoDr. Ximin Zeng
Research Assistant Professor, Animal Science
Dr. Zeng received his PhD in Animal Science from UT Knoxville in 2010. His research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance, as well as vaccine development against pathogens.
Read more about Dr. Ximin Zeng