Identification of aptamers for nanoparticle-based detection of Legionella pneumophila

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Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, an acute pulmonary infection in humans. Several large outbreaks of LD occur every year, each one affecting hundreds of people and resulting in the death of about 10% of the affected population. For example, the Quebec City outbreak in 2012 resulted in 183 cases and 13 deaths. L. pneumophila grows in water systems and is transmitted to human by inhalation of aerosols. To prevent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease it is imperative to manage water systems adequately and take appropriate action when L. pneumophila is detected in them. The current available detection methods are time consuming and require expert technical skills. We are proposing to develop a novel detection method based on nanoparticles coated with L. pneumophila-specific recognition molecules called aptamers. This nanoparticle technology relies on differential aggregation patterns of nanoparticle-coated aptamers when the target is present. To this end, we will first perform cell-SELEX to identify aptamers binding specifically to L. pneumophila under the conditions required for the nanoparticle technology and confirm the binding of the candidate aptamers to L. pneumophila when attached to nanoparticles. This project is necessary to develop a new portable, easy to use, and cost-effective method for routine monitoring of water systems that will help reduce the risk and burden of Legionnaires' disease.