When you think of big data you probably think of powerful computers crunching numbers, not a brain biosensor. Tonight the lead story on the BBC Bang goes the Theory episode on Big Data is about the traumatic brain injury research by Professor Martyn Boutelle in the Department of Bioengineering, here at Imperial.
Here’s this link to a preview clip of tonight’s episode which gives you a taste of what is in store for tonight’s episode.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the science and engineering behind the biosensors, I would recommend this paper written by Professor Martyn Boutelle and Dr Michelle Rogers about “Real-Time Clinical Monitoring of Biomolecules” and how continuous monitoring of clinical biomarkers offers the exciting possibility of new therapies that use biomarker levels to guide treatment in real time. The review considers measurements in body fluids by a range of analytical methods and discusses direct tissue measurements performed by implanted sensors; sampling techniques, including microdialysis and ultrafiltration; and noninvasive methods.
The monitoring kit is now in the intensive care unit
Check out the Department of Bioengineering Facebook page, for a sneak preview of photos behind the scenes.