Monolithic Reagentless Biosensor for Online Monitoring of Waterborne Pathogens

描述（由申请人提供）：这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种无试剂生物传感器，用于在线监测饮用水中的微生物污染物。该生物传感器基于将几种新兴技术整合到BioDetection Instruments的专有传感平台中。一种新型的整体柱将被开发，封装一个独特的传感材料，可以特异性地和直接检测指示细菌，而不需要添加任何试剂。整体柱的特征在于分级孔结构、高表面积、小扩散路径长度和低液压阻力，这有利于简化检测功效。通过整体式生物传感柱沿着进行柱上光学检测，可以简单地通过泵送或注入水样来实现微生物污染的在线监测。在第二阶段，研究将扩展到开发一个多通道生物传感器系统，用于在线监测多种水传播病原体。疾病预防控制中心报告说，每年有40亿次腹泻事件导致估计200万人死亡，而水传播的细菌感染可能占这些事件和死亡的一半。预防疾病爆发依赖于及时有效地检测致病微生物。然而，饮用水中细菌污染物的检测仍然依赖于基于细胞生长的方法，这些方法非常耗时，通常需要至少24小时和复杂的多个步骤来确认分析。即使是目前的快速方法，如ELISA和PCR，仍然需要富集样品8-24小时，并需要几个小时才能得到定性（阳性/阴性）结果。负责保护公众健康的监管机构和水厂都面临的部分挑战是找到更好、更具成本效益、更快的技术来快速检测水媒病原体。公共卫生相关性：申报产品将提供在线监测饮用水中微生物污染物的无试剂检测。饮用水处理设施、瓶装水和饮料制造商以及私人水井所有者将从拟议系统的开发中受益。使用拟议的产品，他们将能够监测其水源的微生物污染，并迅速采取纠正措施。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a reagentless biosensor for online monitoring of microbial contaminants in drinking water. The biosensor is based on incorporating several newly emerging technologies into BioDetection Instruments' proprietary sensing platform. A novel monolithic column will be developed that encapsulates a unique sensing material that can specifically and directly detect an indicator bacterium with no need for the addition of any reagents. The monolithic column will be characterized by a hierarchical pore structure, high surface area, small diffusion path length, and low hydraulic resistance, which are favorable for streamlining the detection efficacy. Online monitoring of microbial contamination will be realized simply by pumping or injecting the water sample through the monolithic biosensing column along with on-column optical detection. In Phase II, the research will be extended to develop a multichannel biosensor system for online monitoring of multiple waterborne pathogens. The CDC reports that each year, 4 billion episodes of diarrhea result in an estimated 2 million deaths, and waterborne bacterial infections may account for as many as half of these episodes and deaths. The prevention of disease outbreaks relies on timely and efficient detection of disease-causing microorganisms. However, the detection of bacterial contaminants in drinking water still relies on cell growth-based methods, which are extremely time-consuming, typically requiring at least 24 hours and complicated multi-steps to confirm the analysis. Even current rapid methods such as ELISA and PCR still require enrichment of samples for 8-24 hours and take several hours to get only qualitative (positive/negative) results. Part of the challenge that faces both regulatory agencies and water plants, charged with protecting public health, is to find better, cost- effective, faster technologies for rapid detection of waterborne pathogens. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed product will provide a reagentless assay for online monitoring of microbial contaminants in drinking water. Drinking water treatment facilities, bottled water and beverage manufacturers, as well as private well owners will benefit from the development of the proposed system. Using the proposed product, they will be able to monitor their water sources for microbial contaminations and promptly take corrective measures.