High Sensitivity Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological Contamination in Water

监测水质对人类健康和环境具有全球性影响。水质参数**包括酸碱度、重金属污染、总溶解固体(TDS)和**细菌等生物污染。EnviroSen Inc.成功开发了基于**纳米材料印刷电极的传感器原型，用于通过在线测量**pH值、重金属和TDS来监控居民水过滤性能。该公司目前正在开发一种用于检测**市政供水系统中的大肠杆菌的原型，该原型需要对现有原型进行不同的修改，包括**生物识别元件，以提高使用时的灵敏度和检测极限。这个**NSERC Engage项目将是EnviroSen Inc.和**McGill University的Sara Mahshid教授首次合作，开发一种基于集成氧化石墨烯**(GO)的优化电化学生物传感器--GO是EnviroSen Inc.原型的重要组成部分--以及用于检测水中大肠杆菌**的DNA亲和分析。该项目将开发用于固定DNA信号探针的用于固定DNA信号探针的GO打印电极的表面功能的方法，作为提高**检测大肠杆菌的灵敏度的第一个基本步骤。Engage项目将研究(1)一种基于**EnviroSen Inc.印刷电极上的石墨烯滴铸的新方法，以增强DNA固定化的检测位置；(2)使用金属纳米颗粒对GO电极进行表面**修饰/功能化，以固定DNA探针；**(3)在实际工业条件下直接捕获和检测大肠杆菌。在6个月末，我们将**成功地将优化的DNA-GO纳米结构电极与EnviroSen Inc.的传感器原型集成在一起**，并将其应用于城市水中大肠杆菌的在线监测。该项目利用Mahshid实验室和EnviroSen Inc.开发的技能**，为EnviroSen提供宝贵的知识和反馈**，以推动其在环境传感领域的高端应用原型。EnviroSen Inc.以员工工资、培训和用品的形式提供了5000美元的实物捐助，以支持该项目。

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.