​​2020 Spring Seminar Series: Bioscience and Bioengineering

Abstract:
The development of robust sensors for real-time monitoring of endogenous chemicals is of enormous importance in biotechnology. H2O2 is an endogenously produced species that regulates multiple mechanisms of signal transductions. H2S is a gasotransmitter that regulates various functions of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. However, their overproductions are extremely detrimental to cells and causing oxidative stress. Low amount of their productions, sizeable interferences from complex biological environments, substantial fouling, and physiological pH demand are the major difficulties. Using transition metal oxides (TMOs), transition metal sulfides (TMSs) and graphene, ideal nanocomposites are designed, synthesized and used to fabricate nanostructured interfaces for H2S and H2O2. Due to their surface characteristics, rich redox chemistry, and extended electrocatalytic sites, zinc cobaltite (ZnCo2O4), nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCo2S4), cobalt sulfide (CoS2), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), and cobalt oxide (Co3O4) have excellent electrocatlaytic sensing aptitudes. Quantitative real-time tracking platforms were developed for continuous monitoring of H2S and H2O2 in live cells.

Bio:
Dr. Veerappan Mani is currently working as a Research Scientist in Prof. Khaled Nabil Salama's Sensors lab at KAUST. He received his Ph.D. in 2014 from the department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan. Before joining KAUST, he was a research assistant professor at Taipei Tech, Taiwan. His research interests focus on developing nanostructured materials and flexible electrodes for biosensors. He has published over 80 SCI publications (citations=3205, h-index=31).