Bioelectrochemical sensing of amino acids

Lital Alfonta, Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel (alfontal@bgu.ac.il)

The analysis of free amino acids in biological samples serves as a critical tool in clinical diagnostics, with applications in nutritional evaluation and the detection of metabolic disorders. This study specifically addresses maple syrup urine disease, a rare inherited condition characterized by reduced activity of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex, leading to elevated levels of branched-chain amino acids such as leucine. Accumulation of leucine can result in severe neurological damage if untreated, necessitating regular monitoring of its blood levels. Currently, there are no available methods for real-time or continuous monitoring of these amino acids, emphasizing the need for advanced analytical tools.

In my presentation, I will describe an electrochemical biosensor designed to detect branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) through specific recognition by amino acid-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs). Although the enzymes are not inherently redox-active, our sensors were designed to couple recognition of amino acids by tRNA synthetases. Various experiments validated the activity of the enzymatic cascade and demonstrated the sensor's selectivity to specific amino acids in the presence of other amino acids. I will describe two different analytical approaches to achieve this challenging specificity. Further validations with clinical samples confirmed the biosensor's reliability in complex biological matrices, showcasing its potential as an essential tool for continuous monitoring and management of metabolic conditions.

Short Biography of Presenting Author

Lital Alfonta is a Prof. of Bioelectrochemistry and Synthetic Biology from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, an incumbent of the Hyman Kreitman chair in Bio-energetics.

Her lab's research is focused on developing synthetic biology-based molecular tools for improved electrode communications with biomolecules and on electrochemical investigations of engineered redox enzymes and microorganisms.

She currently serves as the president of the Israel Electrochemical Society (ISEL), as an editor of the Journal Electrochimica Acta, as a scientific editorial board member of the Journal Bioelectrochemistry, and as a member of the nominating committee of the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).


Bioelectrochemical sensing of amino acids Lital Alfonta, Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel (alfontal@bgu.ac.il) The analysis of free amino acids in biological samples serves as a critical tool in clinical diagnostics, with applications in nutritional evaluation and the detection of metabolic disorders. This study specifically addresses maple syrup urine disease, a rare inherited condition characterized by reduced activity of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex, leading to elevated levels of branched-chain amino acids such as leucine. Accumulation of leucine can result in severe neurological damage if untreated, necessitating regular monitoring of its blood levels. Currently, there are no available methods for real-time or continuous monitoring of these amino acids, emphasizing the need for advanced analytical tools. In my presentation, I will describe an electrochemical biosensor designed to detect branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) through specific recognition by amino acid-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs). Although the enzymes are not inherently redox-active, our sensors were designed to couple recognition of amino acids by tRNA synthetases. Various experiments validated the activity of the enzymatic cascade and demonstrated the sensor's selectivity to specific amino acids in the presence of other amino acids. I will describe two different analytical approaches to achieve this challenging specificity. Further validations with clinical samples confirmed the biosensor's reliability in complex biological matrices, showcasing its potential as an essential tool for continuous monitoring and management of metabolic conditions. Short Biography of Presenting Author Lital Alfonta is a Prof. of Bioelectrochemistry and Synthetic Biology from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, an incumbent of the Hyman Kreitman chair in Bio-energetics. Her lab's research is focused on developing synthetic biology-based molecular tools for improved electrode communications with biomolecules and on electrochemical investigations of engineered redox enzymes and microorganisms. She currently serves as the president of the Israel Electrochemical Society (ISEL), as an editor of the Journal Electrochimica Acta, as a scientific editorial board member of the Journal Bioelectrochemistry, and as a member of the nominating committee of the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).

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