Public defence: Trinh Bich Hoang

Trinh Bich Hoang will defend her PhD degree in Applied Micro and Nano Technology. The thesis presents a new sensor that can measure glucose without using enzymes.

22 Jan

Practical information

  • Date: 22 January 2026
  • Time: 10.00 - 15.00
  • Location: Vestfold, Auditorium A1-36
  • Download calendar file

    • Link to digital participation (Zoom).

    Programme

    10:15 Trial Lecture: "Surface functionalization strategies for biorecognition: from self-assembled monolayers to bioinspired coatings”.

    Kl. 12:15 Public defence: The development of an enzyme-free glucose sensing platform employing a 5 MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) acoustic wave transducer functionalized with an immobilized concanavalin A–dextran affinity assay.

    Assessment committee

    • First opponent: Professor Dag Roar Hjelme, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
    • Second opponent: PhD Mariacristina Gagliardi, NEST Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore
    • Administrator: Professor Lars Eric Roseng, University of South-Eastern Norway

    Supervisors

    • Principal supervisor: Associate Professor Agne Johannessen, University of South-Eastern Norway
    • Co-supervisor: Professor Erik Andrew Johannessen, University of South-Eastern Norway
    • Co-supervisor: Professor Ulrik Hanke, University of South-Eastern Norway
    • Co-supervisor: Professor Bjørn Torger Stokke, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Any questions?

Trinh Bich Hoang is defending her dissertation for the degree philosophiae doctor (PhD) at the University of South-Eastern Norway.Doktorgradskandidat

The doctoral work has been carried out at the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences.

You are invited to follow the trial lecture and the public defence.

Summary

This PhD project has developed a new type of sensor for glucose monitoring without the requirement of enzymes.

Instead of relying on chemical reactions with enzymes, the sensor uses acoustic waves in a small quartz crystal (QCM). When sugar molecules bind to the surface, the weight changes slightly, producing a measurable signal. The binding occurs through a protein (Concanavalin A) that attracts sugars, where glucose and a substance (dextran) compete for the binding sites.

The PhD candidate has created a simple and environmentally friendly method to attach the protein to the sensor and confirmed its success using advanced microscopy and measurement techniques. The sensor can detect glucose levels within the range relevant for humans (typical blood sugar levels) and shows strong performance both in experiments and computer simulations.

Traditional glucose sensors use enzymes, which can become unstable with time. This new approach is more robust, eco-friendly, and is suitable for continuous monitoring. The project could form the basis for future small and portable sensors for diabetes management.