Speakers - 2024

Biography

Aver Maria Hemben is the Founder / Director of Maria Theresa Research Innovation And Development Ltd., a UK-based enterprise that promotes science through collaboration with academia and industry specialists. Aver earned a Doctoral degree in ‘Development of Immunosensors for the Detection of Malaria and a second Doctoral degree under the title of ‘Metallic Nanocarrier Targeting Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer’ both from Cranfield University UK. Both her master’s degree in applied Entomology and Parasitology and her Bachelor of Technology, Zoology degrees are from Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola Nigeria.

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP 2) was used as the biomarker for the detection of malaria. A gold-based sensor with an integrated counter and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode was first selected and characterised and then used to develop the immunosensor for PfHRP 2. The developed sensor is of low cost and is easy to use in the field or laboratory setting. In ELISA sandwich assay format, capture and detection PfHRP 2 monoclonal antibodies were used. The assay format was constructed using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the enzyme label, and the electrochemical signal was generated using a 3, 3′, 5, 5′tetramethyl-benzidine dihydrochloride (TMB)/H2O2 system. Following the optimisation and characterisation of the assay and sensor, limit of detection (LOD) of 2.14 ng·mL−1 in buffer samples and 2.95 ng∙mL−1 in 100% spiked serum samples were observed. Amplification of the signal was achieved using gold nanoparticles conjugated to the detection antibody-enzyme, to produce an LOD of 36 pg∙mL−1 in buffer samples and 40 pg∙mL−1 in serum samples. This sensor format is ideal for malaria detection and on-site analysis as a point-of-care device (POC) in resource-challenged settings for the sub-microscopic detection of malaria.