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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Bacterial Detection & Identification Using Electrochemical Sensors
Published on: April 23, 2013
DNA chip based sensor for amperometric detection of infectious pathogens
Swati Singh1, Ankur Kaushal2, Shashi Khare3
1CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi, 110007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, 110025 India.
Abstract:
Several infectious pathogens are found in human whose detection is essential for rapid cure of diseases. The most commonly found pathogen in human is Streptococcus pyogenes which leads to a wide range of infections from mild pharyngitis to rheumatic heart disease. An ultrasensitive DNA chip based sensor was developed for quick identification of pathogen S. pyogenes from patient throat swab samples. The amperometric response was measured after hybridization of specific probe with single stranded genomic DNA (ssG-DNA) from the patient samples. The DNA chip was characterized by FTIR, SEM and validated with suspected patient real samples. The sensitivity of the DNA chip based sensor was found 951.34(μA/cm2)/ng DNA and lower limit of detection (LOD) was 130fg/6μL samples. The DNA chip based sensor is highly specific and takes only 30min for identification of specific pathogen.
Insights
A novel DNA chip sensor rapidly identifies Streptococcus pyogenes, a common cause of infections. This ultrasensitive biosensor offers quick and specific pathogen detection from patient samples.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Disease Detection
Background:
- Streptococcus pyogenes is a prevalent human pathogen causing diverse infections, from pharyngitis to rheumatic heart disease.
- Rapid and accurate detection of S. pyogenes is crucial for timely and effective disease treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an ultrasensitive DNA chip-based sensor for the rapid identification of Streptococcus pyogenes.
- To enable quick detection of the pathogen directly from patient throat swab samples.
Main Methods:
- Development of a DNA chip sensor utilizing specific DNA probes.
- Measurement of amperometric response upon hybridization with single-stranded genomic DNA (ssG-DNA).
- Characterization using FTIR and SEM, and validation with clinical samples.
Main Results:
- The DNA chip sensor demonstrated high sensitivity (951.34 (μA/cm²) /ng DNA) and a low limit of detection (130 fg/6 μL).
- The sensor achieved highly specific identification of S. pyogenes.
- Pathogen identification was completed within 30 minutes.
Conclusions:
- The developed DNA chip-based sensor provides a rapid, ultrasensitive, and specific method for identifying Streptococcus pyogenes.
- This technology holds potential for quickPoint-of-care diagnosis of S. pyogenes infections.
