Susan M. Lunte


Image of Susan Lunte
  • Ralph N. Adams Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Director, Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry
  • PI & Director, NIH COBRE Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways

Contact Info

Primary Office Phone:
220B MRB
Lawrence
2030 Becker Dr
Lawrence, KS 66047-1620
3176 GL (ISB)
Lawrence
1567 Irving Hill Rd
Lawrence, KS 66045

Education

B.A., Kalamazoo College, 1980, Michigan
Ph.D., Purdue University, 1984

Specialization

  • Bioanalytical chemistry
  • Liquid chromotography
  • Capillary electrophoresis
  • Electrochemical and laser-induced fluorescence detection
  • Microdialysis sampling
  • Neurochemistry
  • Protein and peptide analysis
  • Microchip analytical systems
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Anticancer drug analysis

Research

Lunte Research Group Poster

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.

Selected Publications

Weerasekara D.B.  and Lunte, S.M., Separation and Detection of Tyrosine and Phenylalanine-derived Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Using Microchip Electrophoresis with Electrochemical Detection, Electroanalysis. (2021)  https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202100580

Caruso, G., et al., Lung Surfactant Decreases Biochemical Alterations and Oxidative Stress Induced by a Sub-Toxic Concentration of Carbon Nanoparticles in Alveolar Epithelial and Microglial Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021. 22(5): p. 13.

Caruso, G., et al., Carnosine Protects Macrophages against the Toxicity of A beta 1-42 Oligomers by Decreasing Oxidative Stress. Biomedicines, 2021. 9(5): p. 22.

Schilly, K.M., et al., Biological applications of microchip electrophoresis with amperometric detection: in vivo monitoring and cell analysis. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2020. 412(24): p. 6101-6119.

Gunawardhana, S.M., et al., Progress toward the development of a microchip electrophoresis separation-based sensor with electrochemical detection for on-line in vivo monitoring of catecholamines. Analyst, 2020. 145(5): p. 1768-1776.

Fresta, C.G., et al., Modulation of Pro-Oxidant and Pro-Inflammatory Activities of M1 Macrophages by the Natural Dipeptide Carnosine. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020. 21(3): p. 22.

Caruso, G., et al., Microfluidics as a Novel Tool for Biological and Toxicological Assays in Drug Discovery Processes: Focus on Microchip Electrophoresis. Micromachines, 2020. 11(6): p. 28.

Gunasekara, D.B., et al., Evaluation of dual electrode configurations for microchip electrophoresis used for voltammetric characterization of electroactive species. Analyst (2020), 145(3) 865-872

Caruso, G., et al., Inflammation as the Common Biological Link Between Depression and Cardiovascular Diseases: Can Carnosine Exert a Protective Role? Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2020. 27(11): p. 1782-1800.

Furness, A.M., et al., Neurochemical investigation of multiple locally induced seizures using microdialysis sampling: Epilepsy effects on glutamate release. Brain Research, 2019. 1722: p. 8.