Susan Marie Lunte

Research interests of the Lunte group include: (1) microanalytical methods for the investigation of the transport and metabolism of peptides across the blood-brain barrier (2) separation-based sensors employing on-line microdialysis coupled to microchip electrophoresis (3) cell-based assays on chips, and (4) microchip-based diagnostics for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Microanalytical methods for the investigation of the transport and metabolism of peptides across the blood-brain barrier: An insight into peptide transport and metabolism is important for effective drug design and the understanding of neurological disorders. Crucial to these studies is the development of analytical methodologies that are capable of monitoring these biologically important compounds at physiologically relevant concentrations. The particular analytes of interest include neuroactive peptides, amino acids and catechol­amines. Release, transport, and metabolism of these substances can be investigated in vitro using a cell culture model or in vivo using microdialysis sampling. Due to the small sample volumes generated by these methods, microcolumn-based separation methods have been employed for analysis. These include capillary and microchip electrophoresis and microcolumn liquid chromatography. To obtain the requisite sensitivity for these assays, laser-induced fluorescence and electrochemical detection and mass spectrometric methods have been employed. The focus of this research has been primarily on substance P and dynorphin. These two neuropeptides have been shown to be important in neuropathic and chronic pain as well as depression. Separation-based sensors based on microdialysis coupled to microchip electrophoresis: The second project area concerns the development of on-animal separation-based sensors for near real-time monitoring of drugs and neurotransmitters in awake, freely roaming animals. The on-line coupling of microdialysis with capillary electrophoresis yields a sensor capable of monitoring multiple analytes simultaneously during pharmacological and neurochemical studies involving awake, freely moving animals. However, current on-line systems are rather large and generally take up an entire lab bench. In addition, the animal is tethered to the syringe pump and analytical system with tubing. In many cases, for example, behavioral studies, one would like to be able to obtain information regarding neurotransmitter release from a freely roaming, untethered animal. With this goal in mind, our group has been focusing their efforts on miniaturization of all the components of the on-line microdialysis-capillary electrophoresis system to produce an on-animal sensor. This includes the development of a chip-based interface between microdialysis sampling and microchip electrophoresis and miniaturization of the detector and associated electronics, as well as the use of telemetry to send the signal to a remote data acquisition station. The primary focus has been on the use of electrochemical detection because both the detector (electrodes) and the potentiostat can be easily miniaturized. Cell-based assays on chips: Along with the development of on-animal sensors, our group has recently begun to investigate cellular assays on chips. Due to the small (micron-to-submicron) dimensions and nanoliter volumes characteristic of the microchip format, very fast analyses can be performed on small volumes. Therefore, it is possible to analyze the content of single cells and/or monitor the release of biologically active compounds from cells integrated into the chip. Current efforts in our laboratory are focused on the development of methods for the detection of reactive oxygen species released from macrophages and bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells. A method for the detection of peroxynitrite using microchip electrophoresis with electrochemical detection has been developed. Chip-based clinical diagnostics: Lastly, the use of capillary electrophoresis/electrochemistry for clinical assays is being investigated. Microchips have several advantages for clinical assays since sample preparation and analysis steps can be integrated onto a single chip. The chips can also be made disposable, obviating problems of cross-contamination. One particular analyte of interest is plasma homocysteine, which has been proposed to be a potential early indicator of heart disease. The development of a fast and accurate analytical method that can be incorporated into the clinical laboratory or used for point-of-care testing is the goal of this project.