UNS: COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Nanoengineering biomimetic nanobrushes for pathogen sensing

Gomes, Carmen, McLamore, Eric S.本研究将开发一种用于检测食源性病原体的新型传感器设备。研究人员将把刺激反应材料与一种专门开发的生物分子结合起来，用于检测单核细胞增生李斯特菌（存在于食品中的病原体）。这项工作特别重要，因为我们没有对这种特定病原体有高亲和力的抗体（一种识别病原体的分子）。本研究的目的是开发结合刺激响应聚合物纳米刷和适体的生物传感器。这种方法有望显著改善病原体检测领域。生物传感器装置将在广泛的标准上进行评估，如灵敏度、选择性和适当控制的响应时间。该建议的智力优点在于将刺激响应聚合物的驱动与固定在聚合物表面的适体对细菌的选择性捕获相结合，以增加对目标病原体的选择性捕获和保留。这项工作中提出的仿生方法的灵感来自于短尾鱿鱼光器官中通过纤毛虫驱动选择性招募共生细菌，这种方法能够从具有复杂微生物背景和广泛粒径的溶液中捕获特定的目标物种。当与纳米材料修饰电极结合时，预计将提供两个明显的优势；即，由于较低的非特异性结合，增强了对目标细菌的捕获，提高了检测限。更广泛的影响：一种方便、快速、灵敏的食源性病原体生物传感器可以对食品安全和医疗诊断产生重大影响。这项拟议的研究还将作为一个独特的机会，将工程研究传播给两个合作机构中代表性不足的人群，并将重点放在食品安全和纳米生物传感技术上。这些活动将包括在德州农工大学：(i)在“拓展你的视野”一天夏令营（每年有70名六年级女孩参加）中展示检测食源性病原体的实际应用；（ii）通过“女性探索工程”夏令营指导和接待年轻女性；（iii）通过丰富工程经验项目接待一名高中教师。在佛罗里达大学的活动将包括(i)通过大学预科教育和培训中心招募中学科学教育家参与研究项目（ii）开发使用动画软件的在线学习模块来教授生物传感器概念；（iii）通过4H生物工程夏令营协调和接待K-12学生

Collaborative Project 1512659 Gomes, Carmen 1511953 McLamore, Eric S. This research will develop a novel sensor device designed to detect foodborne pathogens. The researchers will stimuli-response material in combination with a specially developed biomolecule for detecting Listeria monocytogenes (pathogen present in foods). The proposed work is particularly important because we do not have antibodies (a molecule that recognizes the pathogen) that have high affinity for this particular pathogen. The objective of this research is to develop biosensors which combine stimuli-responsive polymer nanobrushes and aptamers. Such an approach is expected to significantly improve the field of pathogen detection. The biosensor device will be evaluated on a broad range of criteria such as sensitivity, selectivity, and response time with appropriate controls. The intellectual merit of this proposal lies in combining the actuation of stimuli-responsive polymers with selective capture of bacteria by aptamers immobilized on the polymer surface for increasing selective capture and retention of target pathogens. The biomimetic approach proposed in this work is inspired by selective recruitment of symbiotic bacteria by ciliate actuation in the bobtail squid light organ, which is capable of capturing a specific target species from a solution with a complex microbial background and a wide range of particle sizes. When combined with nanomaterial-modified electrodes, it is anticipated to provide two distinct advantages; namely, enhanced capture of target bacteria due to lower non-specific binding, and enhanced limit of detection. Broader Impacts : A convenient, rapid, and sensitive biosensor for foodborne pathogens can have significant impact in food safety and medical diagnostics. This proposed research also serves as a unique opportunity for dissemination of engineering research to underrepresented population at the two collaborating institutions and will focus on food safety and nano-biosensing technologies. These activities will include at Texas A&M University: (i) demonstrating practical applications on detecting foodborne pathogens in the Expanding Your Horizon one-day camp ( reaches 70 sixth-grade girls per year), (ii) mentoring and hosting young women through the Women Explore Engineering summer camp; and (iii) hosting a high school teacher through Enrichment Experiences in Engineering program. At University of Florida activities will include (i) recruiting secondary science educator to participate in the research project through the Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (ii) developing online learning modules using animation software to teach biosensor concepts; and (iii) coordinating and hosting K-12 students through 4H Bioengineering summer camp