Rapid Identification of Biofilms Using a Robust Multichannel Polymer Sensor Array.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Microbiology
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Bacterial biofilm infections pose diagnostic challenges due to complex bacterial compositions and heterogeneous matrices.
• Current diagnostic methods struggle with the intricate nature of biofilms, hindering effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a robust polymer-based sensor array for identifying bacterial species within biofilms.
• To create a diagnostic tool capable of detecting species-specific signatures in biofilm matrices.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a polymer sensor array with selective polymer-biofilm matrix interactions.
• Employed fluorophore-enabled excimer formation and interpolymer Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) to generate six distinct output channels from three polymers.
• Analyzed differential changes in fluorescent patterns resulting from selective multivalent polymer-biofilm interactions.

Main Results:

• The sensor array successfully generated species-based fluorescent signatures for different bacterial biofilms.
• Demonstrated accurate identification of mixed-species bacterial biofilms.
• Validated the platform's real-world potential by discriminating biofilms in a mammalian cell-biofilm co-culture wound model.

Conclusions:

• The developed polymer sensor array offers a novel approach for the species-based identification of bacterial biofilms.
• This technology has significant potential for improving the diagnosis of challenging biofilm-associated infections.
• The platform's ability to analyze complex biofilm environments, including co-cultures, highlights its diagnostic utility.