Bio-SERS- Detection of Pathogens Using Bionanosensors

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Rapid detection of bacteria is crucial for the health of the general public as the threat of infectious disease is dramatically increasing as a result of bacteria developing resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Major threats to human health from bacterial infections have led to urgent demands to develop highly efficient strategies for isolating and detecting microorganisms in clinical samples, the environment or for food safety. Bacteria are commonly detected using traditional culture techniques followed by microscopy, luminescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to allow definitive identification and speciation of the bacteria. These tests generally take over 24 h due to the culture step followed by sample preparation and analysis. Lateral flow tests using antibody functionalised gold nanoparticles exist for some pathogens, however high concentrations of bacteria are needed and they tend not to perform well with complex sample types. Hence, there is an urgent requirement for the pathogen to be identified quickly and with high confidence levels and a clear need for a point of use (POU) multiplexed sensor. The major research aim is to develop a novel, rapid, sensitive and multiplexed optical bionanosensor for the detection of bacteria in different environments using a point of use POU detection strategy for the isolation, concentration and detection of multiple pathogens. A specific assay using enhanced Raman scattering and a portable device, with a simple user interface for data interpretation will enable the detection and identification of specific bacteria. Different options including ,magnetic capture and paper fluidic based approaches will be investigated. This will be used for sensitive and specific detection of multiple pathogens, without the need for an enrichment culture step, which is rapid and compatible with different sample matrices e.g. cultures, liquids, swaps etc. Extension of use of this new bionanosensor into other areas where there is a requirement for rapid bacterial detection that is simple enough to be carried out by non-scientists is a further benefit of this approach.