SASSPR: Semi Automated Sensor for Surface Plasmon Resonance

The first step in drug discovery are the pre-clinical trials. Pre-clinical trials are necessary to understand the safety, dosage, and metabolism before human clinical trials can be performed. Surface Plasmon Resonance sensors are a biological sensing instrument used to monitor the binding kinetics of the interaction between an analyte and a ligand. The sensor provides information on the association and dissociation rate of the binding cycle providing accurate and repeatable results, making them a popular analysis device. Unfortunately, Surface Plasmon Resonance sensors can be costly, making them difficult to acquire.

The device being developed is a low cost intensity modulated surface plasmon resonance sensor to monitor changes in the resonance angle when a different dielectric is introduced on the surface of a gold film. The changes in resonance angle can be observed by monitoring the intensity of the light.

The system will be utilizing a right-angled prism and a 50 nanometer thin gold film for surface plasmon detection. An Omnivision image sensor will transmit the light intensity to an application while the prism is being rotated on the motorized rotation stage.

Files

10 Page Divide and Conquer

Senior Design 1 Final Document

Senior Design 2 Final Document

Critical Design Review Powerpoint Presentation

SASSPR Powerpoint Slides

Conference Paper