High Sensitivity Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological Contamination in Water

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Monitoring the quality of water has global impact on the human health and environment. There are parameters**encountered for water quality including pH, heavy metals contamination, total dissolved solids (TDS), and**biological contamination such as bacteria. EnviroSen Inc. has successfully developed sensor prototypes based**on nanomaterials printed electrodes for monitoring residential water filtration performance by online measuring**of pH, heavy metals and TDS. The company is now developing a prototype for detection of E. coli bacteria in**municipal water distribution system, which requires different modifications on the existing prototype including**biological recognition elements to improve the sensitivity and the limit of detection at the point of use. This**NSERC Engage project will be the first collaborative effort between EnviroSen Inc and Prof. Sara Mahshid of**McGill University to develop an optimized electrochemical biosensor based on integration of graphene oxide**(GO)- an essential component of EnviroSen Inc's prototypes- and DNA-affinity assays for detection of E. Coli**in water. This Engage project will develop approaches for improving the surface functionality of GO printed**electrodes for immobilization of DNA signaling probes as the first essential step in improving the sensitivity of**detection of E. Coli. The Engage project will investigate (1) a new approach based on graphene drop-cast on**EnviroSen Inc's printed electrodes to enhance detection sites for DNA immobilization; (2) surface**modification/ functionalization of GO electrodes with metal nanoparticles for immobilization of DNA probes;**(3) direct capture and detection of E. Coli in real industrial condition. At the end of month 6 we will have**successfully integrated the optimized DNA-GO nanostructured electrode with EnviroSen Inc's sensor prototype**and implemented for on-line monitoring of E. Coli in city water. The project leverages based on skills**developed in Mahshid lab and at EnviroSen Inc and provide EnviroSen with valuable knowledge and feedback**to advance their prototypes for high-end applications in environmental sensing. EnviroSen Inc. provides $5K of**in-kind contributions in the form of staff salary, training and supplies to support the porject.