Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases
Published on: January 1, 2016
A multifunctional SERS sticky note for real-time quorum sensing tracing and inactivation of bacterial biofilms
Jingxing Guo1, Ying Liu1, Yunlong Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science , School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Nanjing University , Nanjing 210023 , P. R. China .
Abstract:
Quorum sensing (QS) is crucial for bacterial survival and activity. Although detecting related signaling metabolites can reveal QS, a versatile platform for convenient real-time imaging of their secretion in the context of bacterial biofilms along with inhibition to the growth of biofilms is still highly desired. Here we develop a flexible sticky note with a sandwich structure by encapsulating gold nanostars between two pieces of hexagonal boron nitride layers, which can be easily pasted on natural biofilms to monitor in real-time the secreted signaling molecule by SERS imaging with high sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its pyocyanin secretion as a model and an internal standard for self-calibration of SERS signals, the sticky note achieves reliable quantification and a rapid response to the secretion as early as 1 h biofilm growth. With antibiotic loading, the multifunctional SERS sticky note also demonstrated effective inactivation of the bacterial biofilm with simultaneous evaluation of the inactivation effect. This multifunctional SERS sticky note provides a versatile platform for investigating bacterial behaviors and developing antibacterial therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Signaling
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
X-Inactivation
Real Time RT-PCR
The real-time quantification of the number of amplified products is...
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

