Alpha Prototyping and Deployment of a MIP-Based Microfluidic Fluorometric Bacteria Biosensor

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Under NSERC and MITACS projects since 2020, in partnership with Sixth Wave Inc. (SIXW), we have developed and patented facile approaches to coat bacterium- and bacteriophage-specific Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) on florescent magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and microwires (MWs) as biosensing interfaces. MIPs are synthetic polymers that are prepared in the presence of bio-targets such as bacteria. After engraving the bacteria out with an etchant, there will be cavities specific to the bacteria left in the MIP structure for rebinding to the same target. We used microfluidics to capture MIP-coated MMPs in a microchannel using an external magnet, then fluorescent microscopy was used for proof-of-principle E. coli detection. For this, water samples with bacteria were exposed to the captured MIP-coated MMPs in the device, and fluorescent attenuation of the particles due to bacteria shielding was used to achieve a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 CFU/mL.In this application, one postdoc will be trained to develop a portable fluidic pump and a portable fluorescent microscope, then integrate them with the above microfluidic biosensor to develop an alpha prototype of the sensor. We aim to test the prototype with 4 types of bacteria and characterize its performance such as limit of detection and dynamic range. Our international collaborator is Prof. Adela Ben-Yakar from the University of Texas Austin who will bring expertise in developing high-end imaging and microscopy units. She will provide guidance to the postdoc on a biweekly basis and also may receive the postdoc in her lab for 1-2 months to test the prototype in the USA lab and with some water samples there. Outcomes include 1) Development of a portable platform technology for the detection of multiple bacteria; 2) Training of one postdoc in the biosensor sector; 3) Initiating an international collaboration to bring needed expertise to the team, valuable experience for the postdoc, and unique testing opportunities for the platform; 4) Completion of data for a patent that is currently filed provisionally; 5) Publication of one new journal paper and completion of two existing manuscripts.