Bacterial Detection Using Peptide-Based Platform and Impedance Spectroscopy

Antimicrobial peptides have the ability to function as bio-recognition elements in the detection of bacteria. For instance, we showed that Leucocin A, an antimicrobial peptide from class IIa bacteriocins, binds gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes with higher affinity than other gram-positive bacteria like S. aureus, L. innocua, and E. faecalis. The binding was detected using impedance spectroscopy when Leucocin A immobilized on impedance electrodes binds bacteria from a sample. Here we highlight the strength of utilizing Leucocin A as a bio-recognition probe in biosensor platforms and provide details on its application in real-time bacterial detection using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A simple new generation impedance array analyzer is utilized that works at very low frequencies to identify interactions between peptide and the target bacteria.

Probing minority population of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

The evolution and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has become a major threat to public health. Advanced tools are urgently needed to quickly diagnose antibiotic-resistant infections to initiate appropriate treatment. Here we report the development of a highly sensitive flow cytometric method to probe minority population of antibiotic-resistant bacteria via single cell detection. Monoclonal antibody against TEM-1 β-lactamase and Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated secondary antibody were used to selectively label resistant bacteria green, and nucleic acid dye SYTO 62 was used to stain all the bacteria red. A laboratory-built high sensitivity flow cytometer (HSFCM) was applied to simultaneously detect the side scatter and dual-color fluorescence signals of single bacteria. By using E. coli JM109/pUC19 and E. coli JM109 as the model systems for antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-susceptible bacteria, respectively, as low as 0.1% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria were accurately quantified. By monitoring the dynamic population change of a bacterial culture with the administration of antibiotics, we confirmed that under the antimicrobial pressure, the original low population of antibiotic-resistant bacteria outcompeted susceptible strains and became the dominant population after 5hours of growth. Detection of antibiotic-resistant infection in clinical urine samples was achieved without cultivation, and the bacterial load of susceptible and resistant strains can be faithfully quantified. Overall, the HSFCM-based quantitative method provides a powerful tool for the fundamental studies of antibiotic resistance and holds the potential to provide rapid and precise guidance in clinical therapies.

Liquid crystals as optical amplifiers for bacterial detection

Interactions of bacteria with target molecules (e.g. antibiotics) or other microorganisms are of growing interest. The first barrier for targeting gram-negative bacteria is layer of a Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Liquid crystal (LC) based sensors covered with LPS monolayers, as presented in this study, offer a simple model to study and make use of this type of interface for detection and screening. This work describes in detail the production and application of such sensors based on three different LPS that have been investigated regarding their potential to serve as sensing layer to detect bacteria. The LPS O127:B8 in combination with a LC based sensor was identified to be most useful as biomimetic sensing surface. This LPS/LC combination interacts with three different bacteria species, one gram-positive and two gram-negative species, allowing the detection of bacterial presence regardless from their viability. It could be shown that even very low bacterial cell numbers (minimum 500 cell ml(-1)) could be detected within minutes (maximum 15 min). The readout mechanism is the adsorption of bacterial entities on surface bond LPS molecules with the LC serving as an optical amplifier.

Lysozyme as a recognition element for monitoring of bacterial population

Bacterial infections remain a significant challenge in biomedicine and environment safety. Increasing worldwide demand for point-of-care techniques and increasing concern on their safe development and use, require a simple and sensitive bioanalysis for pathogen detection. However, this goal is not yet achieved. A design for fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lysozyme (FITC-LYZ), which provides quantitative binding information for gram-positive bacteria, Micrococcus luteus, and detects pathogen concentration, is presented. The functional lysozyme is used not only as the pathogenic detection platform, but also as a tracking reagent for microbial population in antibacterial tests. A nonlinear relationship between the system response and the logarithm of the bacterial concentration was observed in the range of 1.2×10(2)-1.2×10(5) cfu mL(-1). The system has a potential for further applications and provides a facile and simple method for detection of pathogenic bacteria. Meanwhile, the fluorescein isothiocyanate -labeled lysozyme is also employed as the tracking agent for antibacterial dynamic assay, which show a similar dynamic curve compared with UV-vis test.

Optical Whole-Genome Restriction Mapping as a Tool for Rapidly Distinguishing and Identifying Bacterial Contaminants in Clinical Samples

INTRODUCTION

Optical restriction genome mapping is a technology in which a genome is linearized on a surface and digested with specific restriction enzymes, giving an arrangement of the genome with gaps whose order and size are unique for a given organism. Current applications of this technology include assisting with the correct scaffolding and ordering of genomes in conjunction with whole-genome sequencing, observation of genetic drift and evolution using comparative genomics and epidemiological monitoring of the spread of infections. Here, we investigated the suitability of genome mapping for use in clinical labs as a potential diagnostic tool.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using whole genome mapping, we investigated the basic performance of the technology for identifying two bacteria of interest for food-safety (Lactobacilli spp. and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli). We further evaluated the performance for identifying multiple organisms from both simple and complex mixtures.

RESULTS

We were able to successfully generate optical restriction maps of four Lactobacillus species as well as a strain of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli from within a mixed solution, each distinguished using a common compatible restriction enzyme. Finally, we demonstrated that optical restriction maps were successfully obtained and the correct organism identified within a clinical matrix.

CONCLUSION

With additional development, whole genome mapping may be a useful clinical tool for rapid invitro diagnostics.

A facile approach to construct versatile signal amplification system for bacterial detection

In this work, a facile approach to design versatile signal amplification system for bacterial detection has been presented. Bio-recognition elements and signaling molecules can be immobilized on the surface of Fe₃O₄@MnO₂ nanomaterials with the help of bioinspired polydopamine (PDA). Fe₃O₄@MnO₂ nanoplates were chosen as carrier for bio-recognizing and signaling molecules because this kind of nanomaterial was superparamagnetic and the existence of MnO₂ could enhance the polymerization of dopamine due to its strong oxidative ability. This nanocomposite system was versatile because PDA around Fe₃O₄@MnO₂ nanoplates provided a stable and convenient platform for immobilization of biological and chemical materials, and various kinds of bio-recognizing and signaling molecules could be immobilized by reaction with pendant amino groups of dopamine to meet different detection requirements. Since a substantial amount of signaling molecules were immobilized on the surface of the nanocomposites, so the sensitivity of detection would be improved when the prepared nanocomposites were selectively conjugated with target pathogen. In the experimental section, a sandwich-type electrochemical biosensor was developed to verify the amplified bacterial detection sensitivity. Concanavalin A (conA) and ferrocene (Fc) were chosen as bio-recognition elements and signaling molecules for detection of Desulforibrio caledoiensis, respectively. The conA and Fc modified nanocomposites were conjugated on electrode by the selective recognition between conA and target bacteria, and the bacterial population was obtained by quantification of the electrochemical signal of Fc moieties. The experimental results showed that the detection sensitivity for D. caledoiensis was improved by taking advantage of this signal amplification system.