Development of integrated array biosensing platform for microcystins detection

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We are aiming to develop a novel sensing platform for the detection of dangerous bacterial toxins present in water. We are developing a miniaturized real-time detection device targeting microcystins, a blue-green algae toxin present in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Its ubiquity and toxicity represent a high potential for catastrophic widespread human exposure. The outbreak can result in tremendous economic burden and pose a serious risk to human health. While most commercially available tests exist only for the -LR isomer, there are still more than 90 variants, many of them with an abundance and toxicity close to that of the -LR isomer. In order to identify and control a potential large-scale outbreak, there is a great need for early and accurate detection/monitoring of environmental bacterial pollution. Detection of toxins is essential not only in environment pollution monitoring, but also in the food industry and healthcare sector. The proposed detection system is a rapid, simple to use, portable and low-cost system that will offer superior sensitivity and specificity compared to current commercial offerings. The system integrates three main components: a microarray electrochemical biosensing platform; robust DNA-based target recognition elements for efficient toxins capture; simple and rapid sample manipulation using a microfluidic "lab-on-a-chip" system. The biosensing system includes a magnetic analyte capturing mechanism which eliminates cumbersome sample pretreatments, reduces analysis time and improves detection limit. This interdisciplinary program involves the study, fabrication and optimization of novel sensing array platform structures, combining research in nanofabrication techniques and instrumentation development to biomolecular interaction systems. Our team includes research groups from INRS, Carleton University, DRDC and Quebec's Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs (QMDE), as well as our industrial partner GDG Environment. This research program will establish key bionanotechnology in Canada and will lead to the commercialization of novel monitoring devices to answer current and future environmental and public health needs.