Gerlo Hesselink

Optical detection of complexation of labeled saccharides to macrocyclic synthetic receptors

The interaction of optically labeled saccharides with resorcin[4]arenes as synthetic saccharide receptors has been investigated by determination of the partition of the saccharides over an aqueous and 1-octanol phase in the absence and presence of the synthetic receptor. It is shown that the complexation of merocyanine labeled glucose, galactose and ribose with the resorcin[4]arenes can be optically detected and that the chosen receptors have a modest selectivity towards the labeled glucose.

Glucose sensor based on the LUQUEN-principle

A new type of glucose sensor based on luminescence quenching (LUQUEN) is proposed. In this LUQUEN principle the concentration induced quenching is enlarged by radiationless (excited-state) energy transfer within the luminescent material. We describe the integrated optical detection part and the chemo-optical interface, in which the concentration induced optical changes are based on the binding of glucose. Some experiments on the internal energy transfer are reported, and the results are discussed.