DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENSEMBLE BIOSENSOR FOR FATTY ACIDS AND ENHANCING THE ANTIBIOTIC PROPERTIES OF MEROPENEM WITH HYDROPHOBIC ION PARING AND NSF NATIONAL I-CORPS EXPERIENCE AND COMMERCIALIZATION ROADMAP FOR THE PAPER BASED ENSEMBLE BIOSENSOR FOR IBS

This thesis integrates three interconnected studies focused on advancing biomedical diagnostics and therapeutic formulation. Primary task was developing an ensemble biosensor for multiplex fatty acid detection using protein - fluorophore interactions. A fluorescence matrix of BSA and FABP with 1,8-ANS, 2-AC, and fluorescein differentiated eight fatty acids with 94.59% accuracy. Validation in H. pylori positive stool samples confirmed its sensitivity and specificity with potentiality as a non-invasive diagnostic platform for Gastrointestinal and chronic diseases. The second project explores Hydrophobic Ion Pairing (HIP) to enhance the lipophilicity and bioactivity of the β-lactam antibiotic meropenem. HIP complexes with hydrophobic counter-ions improved stability, membrane permeability, and antimicrobial efficacy, offering a scalable strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. The third component, developed under the NSF I-Corps Program, translated the ensemble biosensor into a market-ready paper-based platform for point-of-care IBS diagnostics. Through extensive stakeholder interviews and iterative business modeling, the work bridges laboratory innovation with real-world application, demonstrating a unified approach to diagnostic development and translational science.