Highly sensitive amperometric immunosensor for the detection of Escherichia coli

Facile and controllable electrochemical fabrication of cell-adhesive polypyrrole electrodes using pyrrole-RGD peptides

Electrically conductive polymers, such as polypyrrole (PPy), have been widely used for the fabrication of various biosensors and tissue engineering scaffolds. For their biologically relevant applications, conductive biomaterials capable of intimate cellular interactions are highly desired. However, conventional methods to incorporate biomolecules into conductive polymers do not offer fine and easy control over the surface density of the biomolecules and/or their stability. We present a novel method to electrochemically immobilize cell-adhesive Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) ligands on PPy electrode surfaces with a simple control over the peptide surface density by varying the electrodeposition time. Synthesized pyrrole-GGGRGDS conjugates were electrochemically incorporated onto the surfaces of PPy-coated electrodes. The electrochemical impedances of the RGD-grafted PPy electrodes were not significantly different from the unmodified PPy films. Time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the RGD motif on the surface of the modified electrodes. In vitro studies with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) showed higher adhesion and faster proliferation of hMSCs on the PPy with a higher RGD density. This facile electrochemical modification of electrode surfaces allowed for a good control over the peptide surface density and cellular interactions and will benefit the fabrication of cell-interactive scaffolds or bio-electrodes.

Bridged Rebar Graphene functionalized aptasensor for pathogenic E. coli O78:K80:H11 detection

We report a novel fabrication method of functionalised Bridged Rebar Graphene (BRG) onto newly designed nanostructured aptasensor for label free impedimetric sensing of pathogenic bacteria E. coli O78:K80:H11. The chemical facilitated unscrolling of MWCNT and subsequent bridging with terephthalaldehyde (TPA) to form 3D-hierarchical BRG nanoconstruct exhibited synergistic effect by combining enhanced electrical properties and facile chemical functionality for stable bio-interface. The bacteria-DNA interactions were captured on BRG nanostructured electrode by using specific anti-E.coli DNA aptamer (K_d~ 14nM), screened by new in-situ developed SELEX method using phenylboronic acid on microtitre plate. The developed nanostructured aptasensor demonstrated a low detection limit and sensitivity of ~ 10¹cfu/mL towards E. coli O78:K80:H11 with a dynamic response range from 10¹ to 10⁶cfu/mL in water, juice and milk samples.

Highly sensitive bacteria quantification using immunomagnetic separation and electrochemical detection of guanine-labeled secondary beads

In this paper, we report the ultra-sensitive indirect electrochemical detection of E. coli O157:H7 using antibody functionalized primary (magnetic) beads for capture and polyguanine (polyG) oligonucleotide functionalized secondary (polystyrene) beads as an electrochemical tag. Vacuum filtration in combination with E. coli O157:H7 specific antibody modified magnetic beads were used for extraction of E. coli O157:H7 from 100 mL samples. The magnetic bead conjugated E. coli O157:H7 cells were then attached to polyG functionalized secondary beads to form a sandwich complex (magnetic bead/E. coli secondary bead). While the use of magnetic beads for immuno-based capture is well characterized, the use of oligonucleotide functionalized secondary beads helps combine amplification and potential multiplexing into the system. The antibody functionalized secondary beads can be easily modified with a different antibody to detect other pathogens from the same sample and enable potential multiplexing. The polyGs on the secondary beads enable signal amplification up to 10⁸ guanine tags per secondary bead (7.5 x 10⁶ biotin-FITC per secondary bead, 20 guanines per oligonucleotide) bound to the target (E. coli). A single-stranded DNA probe functionalized reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode was used to bind the polyGs on the secondary beads. Fluorescent imaging was performed to confirm the hybridization of the complex to the electrode surface. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to quantify the amount of polyG involved in the hybridization event with tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)3(2+)) as the mediator. The amount of polyG signal can be correlated to the amount of E. coli O157:H7 in the sample. The method was able to detect concentrations of E. coli O157:H7 down to 3 CFU/100 mL, which is 67 times lower than the most sensitive technique reported in literature. The signal to noise ratio for this work was 3. We also demonstrate the use of the protocol for detection of E. coli O157:H7 seeded in waste water effluent samples.

Sensitive electrochemical detection of Salmonella with chitosan-gold nanoparticles composite film

An ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor for detection of Salmonella has been developed based on using high density gold nanoparticles (GNPs) well dispersed in chitosan hydrogel and modified glassy carbon electrode. The composite film has been oxidized in NaCl solution and used as a platform for the immobilization of capture antibody (Ab1) for biorecognition. After incubation in Salmonella suspension and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugated secondary antibody (Ab2) solution, a sandwich electrochemical immunosensor has been constructed. The electrochemical signal was obtained and improved by comparing the composite film with chitosan film. The result has shown that the constructed sensor provides a wide linear range from 10 to 10(5) CFU/mL with a low detection limit of 5 CFU/mL (at the ratio of signal to noise, S/N=3:1). Furthermore, the proposed immunosensor has demonstrated good selectivity and reproducibility, which indicates its potential in the clinical diagnosis of Salmonella contaminations.

Highly sensitive and specific detection of E. coli by a SERS nanobiosensor chip utilizing metallic nanosculptured thin films

A nanobiosensor chip, utilizing surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy on nanosculptured thin films of silver, was shown to detectEscherichia colibacteria down to the concentration level of a single bacterium.

Cloud-enabled microscopy and droplet microfluidic platform for specific detection of Escherichia coli in water

We report an all-in-one platform – ScanDrop – for the rapid and specific capture, detection, and identification of bacteria in drinking water. The ScanDrop platform integrates droplet microfluidics, a portable imaging system, and cloud-based control software and data storage. The cloud-based control software and data storage enables robotic image acquisition, remote image processing, and rapid data sharing. These features form a “cloud” network for water quality monitoring. We have demonstrated the capability of ScanDrop to perform water quality monitoring via the detection of an indicator coliform bacterium, Escherichia coli, in drinking water contaminated with feces. Magnetic beads conjugated with antibodies to E. coli antigen were used to selectively capture and isolate specific bacteria from water samples. The bead-captured bacteria were co-encapsulated in pico-liter droplets with fluorescently-labeled anti-E. coli antibodies, and imaged with an automated custom designed fluorescence microscope. The entire water quality diagnostic process required 8 hours from sample collection to online-accessible results compared with 2–4 days for other currently available standard detection methods.

Impedimetric immunosensor based on gold nanoparticles modified graphene paper for label-free detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7

In this study, a low-cost and robust impedimetric immunosensor based on gold nanoparticles modified free-standing graphene paper electrode for rapid and sensitive detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) was developed. Graphene paper was prepared by chemical reduction of graphene oxide paper obtained from vacuum filtration method. Scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were employed to investigate the surface morphology and crystal structure of the prepared graphene paper. The gold nanoparticles were grown on the surface of graphene paper electrode by one-step electrodeposition technique. The immobilization of anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies on paper electrode were performed via biotin-streptavidin system. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to detect E. coli O157:H7 captured on the paper electrode. Results show that the developed paper immunosensor possesses greatly enhanced sensing performance, such as wide linear range (1.5 × 10(2)-1.5 × 10(7) cfu mL(-1)), low detection limit (1.5 × 10(2) cfu mL(-1)), and excellent specificity. Furthermore, flexible test demonstrate the graphene paper based sensing device has high tolerability to mechanical stress. The strategy of structurally integrating metal nanomaterials, graphene paper, and biorecognition molecules would provide new insight into design of flexible immunosensors for routine sensing applications.

Highly sensitive detection of pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The presence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria in food can cause serious foodborne disease outbreaks. Early detection and identification of these pathogens is extremely important for public health and safety. Here we present a highly sensitive label-free immunosensor for the detection of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7. Anti-E. coli antibodies were covalently immobilised onto gold electrodes via a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of mercaptohexadecanoic acid and the pathogenic bacteria were detected by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) was used to monitor the antibody immobilisation protocol and antibody patterned surfaces were used to demonstrate the specificity of the antibody coated surfaces against the pathogenic bacteria. The immunosensor showed a very low limit of detection (2CFU/mL) and a large linear range (3 × 10-3 × 10(4)CFU/mL). Finally, the selectivity of the sensor was demonstrated and no significant adsorption of Salmonella typhimurium was observed.

Isolation and characterization of DNA aptamers against Escherichia coli using a bacterial cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment approach

Aptamers are powerful capturing probes against various targets such as proteins, small organic compounds, metal ions, and even cells. In this study, we isolated and characterized single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers against Escherichia coli. A total of 28 ssDNAs were isolated after 10 rounds of selection using a bacterial cell-SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) process. Other bacterial species (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) were used for counter selection to enhance the selectivity of ssDNA aptamers against E. coli. Finally, four ssDNA aptamers showed high affinity and selectivity to E. coli, The dissociation constants (K(d)) of these four ssDNA aptamers to E. coli were estimated to range from 12.4 to 25.2 nM. These aptamers did not bind to other bacterial species, including four counter cells, but they showed affinity to different E. coli strains. The binding of these four aptamers to E. coli was observed directly by fluorescence microscopy.

Bacteriophage based probes for pathogen detection

Rapid and specific detection of pathogenic bacteria is important for the proper treatment, containment and prevention of human, animal and plant diseases. Identifying unique biological probes to achieve a high degree of specificity and minimize false positives has therefore garnered much interest in recent years. Bacteriophages are obligate intracellular parasites that subvert bacterial cell resources for their own multiplication and production of disseminative new virions, which repeat the cycle by binding specifically to the host surface receptors and injecting genetic material into the bacterial cells. The precision of host recognition in phages is imparted by the receptor binding proteins (RBPs) that are often located in the tail-spike or tail fiber protein assemblies of the virions. Phage host recognition specificity has been traditionally exploited for bacterial typing using laborious and time consuming bacterial growth assays. At the same time this feature makes phage virions or RBPs an excellent choice for the development of probes capable of selectively capturing bacteria on solid surfaces with subsequent quick and automatic detection of the binding event. This review focuses on the description of pathogen detection approaches based on immobilized phage virions as well as pure recombinant RBPs. Specific advantages of RBP-based molecular probes are also discussed.

Biosensors based on combined optical and electrochemical transduction for molecular diagnostics

Electrochemical and optical biosensors exist to monitor different fluids containing analytes of interest. Until today, these have been developed separately. Owing to the creation of new transducer configurations such as indium tin-coated glass fiber optics, these methods can now be used separately, in parallel and it is hoped that one day they will be able to be used simultaneously; thus, using the same probe to measure a single analyte using two different methods (electrochemical and optical) or two different analytes with either of the aforementioned methods sitting on the same probe. This article will highlight the importance, as well as the usefulness, of combining measurement methodologies in improving sensor response and sensitivity.

Label-free capacitive immunosensor based on quartz crystal Au electrode for rapid and sensitive detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7

A label-free capacitive immunosensor based on quartz crystal Au electrode was developed for rapid and sensitive detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The immunosensor was fabricated by immobilizing affinity-purified anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies onto self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) on the surface of a quartz crystal Au electrode. Bacteria suspended in solution became attached to the immobilized antibodies when the immunosensor was tested in liquid samples. The change in capacitance caused by the bacteria was directly measured by an electrochemical detector. An equivalent circuit was introduced to simulate the capacitive immunosensor. The immunosensor was evaluated for E. coli O157:H7 detection in pure culture and inoculated food samples. The experimental results indicated that the capacitance change was linearly correlated with the cell concentration of E. coli O157:H7. The immunosensor was able to discriminate between cellular concentrations of 10(2)-10(5) cfu mL(-1) and has applications in detecting pathogens in food samples. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were also employed to characterize the stepwise assembly of the immunosensor.

Real-time potentiometric detection of bacteria in complex samples

Detecting and identifying pathogen bacteria is essential to ensure quality at all stages of the food chain and to diagnose and control microbial infections. Traditional detection methods, including those based on cell culturing, are tedious and time-consuming, and their further application in real samples generally implies more complex pretreatment steps. Even though state-of-the-art techniques for detecting microorganisms enable the quantification of very low concentrations of bacteria, to date it has been difficult to obtain successful results in real samples in a simple, reliable, and rapid manner. In this Article, we demonstrate that the label-free detection and identification of living bacteria in real samples can be carried out in a couple of minutes and in a direct, simple, and selective way at concentration levels as low as 6 colony forming units/mL (CFU) in complex matrices such as milk or 26 CFU/mL in apple juice where the pretreatment step of samples is extremely easy. We chose Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) CECT 675 cells as a model organism as a nonpathogenic surrogate for pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 to test the effectiveness of a potentiometric aptamer-based biosensor. This biosensor uses single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as excellent ion-to-electron transducers and covalently immobilized aptamers as biorecognition elements. The selective aptamer-target interaction significantly changes the electrical potential, thus allowing for both interspecies and interstrain selectivity and enabling the direct detection of the target. This technique is therefore a powerful tool for the immediate identification and detection of microorganisms. We demonstrate the highly selective detection of living bacteria with an immediate linear response of up to 10(4) CFU/mL. The biosensor can be easily built and used, is regenerated without difficulty, and can be used at least five times with no loss in the minimum amount of detected bacteria.

An electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor for label-free detection of Campylobacter jejuni in diarrhea patients' stool based on O-carboxymethylchitosan surface modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles

A novel electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor based on O-carboxymethylchitosan surface modified Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (denoted as OCMCS-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles) was developed for rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni, which is becoming the most common cause of gastroenteritis in developed countries and raising major public health concerns worldwide. In the present study, anti-FlaA monoclonal antibodies 2D12 (denoted as 2D12McAbs) were immobilized on OCMCS-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles. The detection was performed by measuring relative change in impedance before and after 2D12McAbs-Campylobacter jejuni reaction with the technique of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under the optimized conditions, the relative change in impedance was proportional to the logarithmic value of Campylobacter jejuni concentrations in the range of 1.0x10(3) to 1.0x10(7) CFU/mL (r=0.991). The advantages of the OCMCS-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticle-based immunosensor are simplicity of use, fast response, wide linear range, acceptable reproducibility and long stability. Moreover, the immunosensor could be regenerated by being treated with glycine-HCl buffer solution (pH 2.8). We demonstrate the convenient application of the novel immunosensor for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni in diarrhea patients' stool samples.