Monolithic Reagentless Biosensor for Online Monitoring of Waterborne Pathogens

描述（由申请人提供）：这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种无试剂生物传感器，用于在线监测饮用水中的微生物污染物。该生物传感器基于将几种新兴技术整合到BioDetection Instruments的专有传感平台中。将开发一种新型整体柱，封装一种独特的传感材料，可以特异性和直接检测指示细菌，而无需添加任何试剂。整体柱具有孔隙结构分层、比表面积大、扩散路径长度小、水力阻力小等特点，有利于提高检测效率。通过整体生物传感柱泵送或注入水样，结合柱上光学检测，即可实现微生物污染的在线监测。在第二阶段，研究将扩展到开发一种多通道生物传感器系统，用于在线监测多种水传播病原体。美国疾病控制与预防中心报告说，每年有40亿例腹泻导致约200万人死亡，而水传播的细菌感染可能占这些腹泻和死亡病例的一半。预防疾病爆发依赖于及时和有效地发现致病微生物。然而，饮用水中细菌污染物的检测仍然依赖于基于细胞生长的方法，这种方法非常耗时，通常需要至少24小时和复杂的多个步骤来确认分析结果。即使是目前的快速方法，如ELISA和PCR，仍然需要样品富集8-24小时，并且需要几个小时才能得到定性（阳性/阴性）结果。负责保护公众健康的管理机构和水厂面临的部分挑战是找到更好、成本效益高、更快的技术来快速检测水传播病原体。公共卫生相关性：提议的产品将提供一种无试剂检测方法，用于在线监测饮用水中的微生物污染物。饮用水处理设施、瓶装水和饮料制造商以及私人水井业主将从拟议系统的发展中受益。使用拟议的产品，他们将能够监测其水源的微生物污染，并及时采取纠正措施。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a reagentless biosensor for online monitoring of microbial contaminants in drinking water. The biosensor is based on incorporating several newly emerging technologies into BioDetection Instruments' proprietary sensing platform. A novel monolithic column will be developed that encapsulates a unique sensing material that can specifically and directly detect an indicator bacterium with no need for the addition of any reagents. The monolithic column will be characterized by a hierarchical pore structure, high surface area, small diffusion path length, and low hydraulic resistance, which are favorable for streamlining the detection efficacy. Online monitoring of microbial contamination will be realized simply by pumping or injecting the water sample through the monolithic biosensing column along with on-column optical detection. In Phase II, the research will be extended to develop a multichannel biosensor system for online monitoring of multiple waterborne pathogens. The CDC reports that each year, 4 billion episodes of diarrhea result in an estimated 2 million deaths, and waterborne bacterial infections may account for as many as half of these episodes and deaths. The prevention of disease outbreaks relies on timely and efficient detection of disease-causing microorganisms. However, the detection of bacterial contaminants in drinking water still relies on cell growth-based methods, which are extremely time-consuming, typically requiring at least 24 hours and complicated multi-steps to confirm the analysis. Even current rapid methods such as ELISA and PCR still require enrichment of samples for 8-24 hours and take several hours to get only qualitative (positive/negative) results. Part of the challenge that faces both regulatory agencies and water plants, charged with protecting public health, is to find better, cost- effective, faster technologies for rapid detection of waterborne pathogens. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed product will provide a reagentless assay for online monitoring of microbial contaminants in drinking water. Drinking water treatment facilities, bottled water and beverage manufacturers, as well as private well owners will benefit from the development of the proposed system. Using the proposed product, they will be able to monitor their water sources for microbial contaminations and promptly take corrective measures.