Liquid crystal biosensor.

Liquid crystal biosensor for detection of Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's associated with COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-Cov2). It is a challenge to determine the neurological abnormalities in COVID-19, so we conducted a literature review of studies that addressed neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19, from typical respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath to severe sequelae that continue to linger after infection. The neurobiological processes and mechanisms that may underlie the link between SARS-Cov2 and COVID-19 in the brain were then analysed.

Finally, a biosensor will be developed to detect the alpha-synuclein protein for early diagnosis of diseases such as Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's, which represent the neurological damage caused by COVID-19. This leads to highlight some of the short-term challenges for neurology practice today and the long-term sequelae of COVID-19 such as depression, cognitive decline, accelerated ageing, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease in the future.

Comprehensive knowledge of these complications will help healthcare providers to be aware of these complications and to demonstrate and treat them in a timely manner.

This biosensor is based on the article "A Novel-free liquid Crystal biosensor for Parkinson's disease Related Alpha-Synuclein" published in the scientific journal Royal Society of Chemistry.

The proposed design of a CL biosensor will be able to detect the alpha-synuclein protein, for a timely diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, which represent the neurological damage caused by COVID-19. It also represents a great opportunity to carry out studies and to have statistical data in Mexico that will allow us to know the severity of this virus.

This proposal consists of modifying the biological sample for the detection of the alpha-synuclein protein, which is a biomolecule that is widely disseminated in neurites and Lewy bodies that is assembled in filamentous form and that, due to its incorrect folding and propagation, causes inflammation and damage to neurons. 

Alpha-synuclein has already been detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, however, an alternative for a rapid, easily obtained and non-invasive test is a saliva sample collected via a swab from the patient in question.

The objectives are as follows:

-Obtain a biosensor that through liquid crystals is able to detect Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's disease.

-To provide a basis for building hypotheses and future research on SARS-COV 2 and diseases such as Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's disease.

-To study the neurological manifestations of patients with coronavirus disease.

Getting involved in activities, competitions and events in the medical field undoubtedly provided me with the necessary basis to understand that the diseases that affect us every day are more than that, that they generate a clinical history that in the future can put us in danger again, which was essential to start worrying about what Covid-19 could cause in the following years. 

We have to prevent the society of the future from developing in an environment of diseases caused by the aftermath of this type of virus.

I did social service as a volunteer in different hospitals, which allowed me to understand the health situation in which the country is developing on a daily basis, which is quite worrying. This was essential to start developing my project.

I was also doing research in the laboratories of the Universidad Autónoma de Queretaro, which was also essential to understand the clinical history of COVID-19 and to gain a broader perspective of this disease and its sequelae.

The use of a biosensor, which is made using CL, represents an alternative as a specific optical analysis method that is low cost, capable of being a non-invasive clinical test for the patient, it will be able to detect the alpha-synuclein protein, which is mostly disseminated in diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. This way, the relationship between neurological damage and COVID-19 could be determined. In this way, a link between neurological damage and COVID-19 could be determined. Likewise, since no studies have been reported in Mexico on patients with neurological damage who suffered COVID-19, the proposal of a CL biosensor offers us an opportunity for the timely diagnosis of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, studies could be carried out with this biosensor to obtain figures that would allow us to know more about patients who suffered from COVID-19 and who present neurological damage.

One of the objectives is to join a laboratory, either within the country or abroad and begin to build this prototype, contributing to SDG 3: Health and well-being of the 2030 agenda, favouring a healthy life and the well-being of society. 

Statistical data on neurological manifestations are required, so this method of detection could favour this aspect and all those derived from the detection of the different diseases that are generated in the nervous system, so we also have to start working on obtaining the necessary data.

This is a new type of biosensor for the detection of αS, combining the stimulus responsiveness of liquid crystals (LC) and the specific interaction of an aptamer with proteins, so the technology used is manufactured in relation to Biotechnology and Bioengineering.

The prototype is not yet built, but even if I am certain that the main beneficiaries are those working in the medical sciences, not only because it will provide a basis from which future research on SARS-Cov2 and the nervous system can be built, but it will also be an important factor in summarising the available information regarding the potential effects of different types of CoV.

And in general terms, this solution will allow us to serve society at large, because CoVID-19 is a disease that has affected absolutely everyone.

Unfortunately, the biosensor has not yet been built due to various external factors, such as age and my student status, but I am still looking for a laboratory that will allow me to develop it.

I am not yet associated with organisations. 

It should be noted that this prototype will not only allow to obtain information and results related to COVID-19, but will also be an important factor in summarising the available information regarding the potential effects of different types of CoV on the nervous system and describing the range of clinical neurological complications reported so far in COVID-19.

It may even be used to detect other proteins or molecules associated with other conditions.

The best thing about this biosensor is that it will not only detect the damage, but will also be able to track and collect statistical information on these cases in Mexico and other countries, allowing for better control.

There is therefore potential interest on the part of the Ministry of Health and non-governmental companies, as it is a very innovative project, given that there is little research in this field.

Although one of the advantages of this project is that it is low-cost, there are plans to generate income by working with the government and private companies to stimulate income.
As this is an innovative project for Universities, Laboratories and Hospitals, it is envisaged to work hand in hand with these organisations to generate capital.