Date of Award

Fall 11-21-2025

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Organizational Unit

Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical and Materials Engineering

First Advisor

Reza Mahmoodi

Second Advisor

Yan Qin

Third Advisor

Yun-Bo Yi

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Dielectrophoresis (DEP), Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Non-faradaic electrochemical biosensor, Reduced graphene oxide (rGO)

Abstract

Neurological disorders affect millions of people worldwide. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the rising number of cases significantly increases global healthcare costs. Therefore, early detection of biomarkers at the onset of the disease is essential for early diagnosis. This study presents an electrochemical biosensor designed for the detection of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in human plasma, incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to enhance signal sensitivity. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) was employed to deposit rGO flakes on the electrode surface, improving conductivity and sensor performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to monitor changes in impedance associated with BDNF binding events, providing a cost-effective alternative to conventional ELISA assays. The developed biosensor successfully detected BDNF, exhibiting a higher impedance response correlated with BDNF concentration and achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 83.3 pg/mL and a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 252.5 pg/mL.

Copyright Date

11-2025

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Mariana N. Martins

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

93 pgs

File Size

2.6 MB

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