Biologically-enhanced devices for the targeting of bacterial pathogens

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Mycobacteria are bacterial pathogens infecting both humans and animals. They are ubiquitously found in drinking water systems and prone to the formation of highly-resilient biofilms. They cause infections in pulmonary and soft tissue, especially in children. Mycobacteria-contaminated water systems have also been linked to deadly infection outbreaks in North-American hospitals. Bacteriophages are viruses that bind to receptors on their host bacteria in order to initiate infection. This recognition mechanism is highly specific and has been exploited for bacterial typing. In addition, this high specificity makes bacteriophage highly promising platforms for the monitoring of bacterial contamination. Phage-host specificity is mediated by recognition proteins located at their tails. Over last several years, we have developed techniques for the isolation and production of those phage recognition proteins and demonstrated their use as probes for the detection of pathogenic bacteria. Further, surface acoustic wave sensors exhibit several advantages for the deployment of in-situ monitoring systems in ground water and closed water systems. A surface acoustic wave sensor is inherently a passive device conducive to have its operating power delivered wirelessly. Several challenges must be addressed to enable the deployment of such sensors for the in-situ monitoring of bacterial biofilm formation in water systems. First, typical piezoelectric materials employed tend to degrade when exposed to fluids. Second, the ability to refresh and reuse the surface would represent an important benefit. Finally, the sensor response should be made specific to the bacteria being monitored. This project will address these challenges through the following goals: 1) to develop piezoelectric nanomaterials resilient to exposure to fluids, 2) to design and realize surface acoustic wave sensors featuring the ability to be reused, 3) to develop and assess mycophage biomaterials as probes for the monitoring of mycobacteria biofilms, and 4) to develop phage-enhanced surface moieties that impart such specificity to the sensor surface. The project will focus on non-tuberculous mycobacteria given their emerging importance in the Canadian health system. The platform will be equally applicable to other numerous other pathogen such as