Browsing by Author "Wickramasinghe, P.M.T.B."

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Advances in surface plasmon resonance biosensors for medical diagnostics: An overview of recent developments and techniques
(Elsevier, 2023) Janith, G.I.; Herath, H.S.; Hendeniya, N.; Attygalle, D.; Amarasinghe, D.A.S.; Logeeshan, V.; Wickramasinghe, P.M.T.B.; Wijayasinghe, Y.S.
Over the last two decades, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors have advanced significantly, becoming an important tool in disciplines such as biosensing, chemical sensing, and material characterization. SPR has gained popularity in biosensing because of its great sensitivity and specificity in detecting biomolecular interactions. This review provides an overview of the recent developments of the SPR biosensor technology and its applications in medical diagnostics. To provide an up-to-date overview of the area, the review includes the most recent works from the last decade. Furthermore, it explores various configurations (prism, grating, fiber optic, waveguidemodulated) and wave properties (angle, wavelength, phase) being tracked for sensing together withstrategies for enhancing sensitivity and selectivity through mechanisms such as surface coatings, sensing mediums, and immobilization techniques.
Establishment and evaluation of real-time PCR based SELEX platform for the identification of protein binding aptamers: A pilot study in Sri Lanka
(National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 2025-01) Abeykoon, A.I.; Kumarasinghe, K.M.N.; Chandrasekharan, N.V.; Wickramasinghe, P.M.T.B.
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) affinity reagents capable of substituting conventional antibodies in processes of molecular recognition. Their higher affinities, lower costs of production and longer shelf lives of aptamers are making them increasingly popular and replacing conventional antibodies in the fields of diagnostics and therapeutics. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is a well-established and efficient technology for generation of aptamers with high affinity against various targets including whole cells, isolated proteins, and small molecules. This study is the first to report efforts in exploring SELEX for isolating protein-binding aptamers using a quantitative PCR and NGS-based approach in a local context. A low-cost selection platform was developed by coating microwell plates with human serum albumin, the target protein of interest, for quantitative and qualitative solid phase immunoassays. Changes in affinity and diversity were monitored through analysis of amplification plots, melt curves, remelt curves and high-resolution melt curve (HRM). Following eight selection cycles, the enriched DNA was subjected to high-throughput sequencing, and the two most abundant sequences were identified. The sequences were evaluated through in-silico binding assays, which resulted in comparable binding affinities expected for aptamers. Among the monitoring techniques, the amplification curve analysis was a valuable tool in understanding changes in pool affinity. Although the melt curve initially lacked sufficient resolution in the early stages of SELEX, the re-melt curve and HRM analysis accurately reflected pool diversity during this time. Thus, we demonstrate that it is feasible to use locally available technology for the successful development of aptamers. This highlights the potential to produce affinity reagents locally on a commercial scale in the future.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about first aid given for childhood injuries among mothers of preschool children in Ragama MOH area, Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) Wickramasinghe, P.M.T.B.; Jayasena, A.K.O.M.; Jayathilake, J.M.P.S.; Jayathissa, J.T.M.; Jayathissa, A.V.A.P.; Jayawardena, M.A.T.
INTRODUCTION: Children under 5 are the most vulnerable group for unintentional injuries and mothers as the main prehospital caregivers it is vital to have first aid knowledge for common childhood injuries. OBJECTIVES: To assess the existing knowledge about first aid given for unintentional injuries such as burns, cut injuries, poisoning, choking, drowning & fractures and their attitudes, and practices in providing first aid and to find associated factors with knowledge. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ragama MOH area, in 2022. 343 mothers were recruited from 12 preschools, using the cluster sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed, data were analysed using SPSS software and associations were analysed using the Chi-Square test, (p<0.05 -significant) RESULTS: Most of the mothers were young housewives and their knowledge was overall inadequate at first aid. (54.2%) The highest median score was obtained for questions on fractures 3.732 (SD ± 1.454) and the lowest for cut injury 2.752 (SD ± 1.2187). The majority (89.5%) knew the ambulance contact number. Only 47.2% of the mothers had given first aid in an emergency and out of them 67.9% had felt tense while doing so. Most had provided first aid for burn injuries (18.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants’ knowledge of first aid was inadequate. Most of them had a positive attitude towards first aid and were willing to learn further. The factors associated with their knowledge were education level and their perception of their own knowledge. Most preferred a hands-on training program for knowledge acquisition.