Diagnostic Platforms
We have developed an array-based glycosaminoglycan (GAG) sensor using the structural integrity of CPNs in a biological medium and backbone reorganization under polyelectrolyte interactions with GAGs. Depending on the strength of ionic interactions, the aggregation properties of CPNs change accordingly, resulting in measurable spectral changes (Chem. Commun., 2015). 
The differentiation ability of CPNs in a complex aqueous medium was verified using linear discriminant analysis of fluorescence spectral responses of CPNs to GAGs. This method can be used to establish a pattern for a "chemical nose" type array sensor, which relies on a differential response of the receptor (i.e., CPN) to the analyte (i.e., GAG, cancer cells, or bacteria). A series of CPs containing various cationic side chains and functional groups is under development. Upon building an array of CPs, we will apply the CPN array for identification of cancer cells or bacterial cells.