Surface plasmon resonance based biomimetic sensor for urinary tract infections

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biosensing Technology

Background:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli) detection is crucial for public health.
• Existing detection methods can be time-consuming or require labels.
• Development of rapid, label-free detection methods is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create tailor-made receptors for E. coli using microcontact imprinting.
• To develop a label-free Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensor for real-time E. coli detection.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance in aqueous solutions and urine mimics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polymeric films with N-methacryloyl-(l)-histidine methyl ester (MAH) on a chip surface.
• Entrapment of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into the polymer to enhance sensitivity.
• Characterization of the polymeric film using AFM, SEM, ellipsometry, and contact angle measurements.
• Real-time, label-free E. coli binding analysis using SPR.

Main Results:

• Tailor-made E. coli receptors were successfully created on the polymeric film.
• The SPR sensor demonstrated a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.57 CFU/mL.
• The sensor showed feasibility for detecting E. coli in a urine mimic.

Conclusions:

• The developed biomimetic SPR sensor offers a sensitive and label-free method for E. coli detection.
• The use of tailor-made receptors and AgNPs significantly improved sensor performance.
• This technology holds potential for rapid E. coli monitoring in various environments.