We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo ADLM 2025 Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Nanoscale Biosensor for Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria under Field Conditions

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Jun 2016
Image: A colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing a number of Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria of the strain O157:H7 (Photo courtesy of the CDC).
Image: A colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing a number of Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria of the strain O157:H7 (Photo courtesy of the CDC).
A team of bioengineers used nanoscale technology to develop a simple, portable biosensor system for detection of pathogenic bacteria – such as the diarrhea-causing Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157:H7 – under field conditions.

Investigators at Washington State University (Pullman, USA) used organic and inorganic components to create nanoparticles, which resembled miniature flowers under the microscope. These "nanoflowers" provided a large surface area for immobilizing the enzymes that needed to detect low levels of the bacteria. Binding of the specific target bacteria triggered a change in acidity that was amplified to be measurable on a handheld pH meter or with a pH indicator paper strip.

“We want to take these nanoflowers and create a simple-to-use, handheld device that anyone can use anywhere,” said senior author Dr. Yuehe Lin, professor of mechanical and materials engineering at Washington State University. “It will be as simple as using a pregnancy test strip or a glucose meter.”

A patent application has been filed for the methodology, which was also described in the June 15, 2016, issue of the journal Small.

Related Links:
Washington State University

New
Gold Member
Serological Pipets
INTEGRA Serological Pipets
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B Combo Card Test
CerTest Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B
New
Automated PCR Setup
ESTREAM

DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The discovery of early markers for ovarian cancer that would have improved sensitivity could aid detection (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Highly Accurate Biomarkers Could Detect Ovarian Cancer Before Clinical Diagnosis

Ovarian cancer is a deadly and challenging disease, primarily because early detection is difficult. Most women (70-75%) are diagnosed only after the cancer has already spread, which significantly reduces... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: CellLENS enables the potential precision therapy strategies against specific immune cell populations in the tissue environment (Photo courtesy of MIT)

New AI System Uncovers Hidden Cell Subtypes to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy

To produce effective targeted therapies for cancer, scientists need to isolate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells, both within and across different tumors. These differences significantly... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The Check4 gene-detection platform (Photo courtesy of IdentifySensors)

Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells

A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
PURITAN MEDICAL