Protein C Detection Via Fluorophore Mediated Immuno-Optical Biosensor

Abstract

Hemostasis is a physiological state where the concentration of coagulants in a human body is well balanced with that of anticoagulants. For oxygen to be properly transported to the entire body, hemostasis must be maintained at all times. Protein C (PC) is one of only a few anticoagulating factors in the bloodstream. As a potent anticoagulant and antithrombotic, PC plays a key role in regulating hemostasis, ensuring the proper transport of oxygen throughout the body. When anticoagulants are not maintained at sufficient levels, the resulting inhibition of oxygen flow produces massive clotting problems. If PC deficiency is not diagnosed and properly treated immediately, an individual may experience debilitating trauma, thrombo-embolic insults in major organs, or death (Bruley and Drohan, 1990). This paper presents a continuation of the research initiated by Kang, et al., concerning the development of a PC biosensor. Background information regarding to the activation of PC, as well as the frequency of occurrence of PC deficiency, has been presented at the 23^rd Annual ISOTT Conference (Kang, et al., in press).