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A Multiplex Immunosensor for Detecting Perchlorate-Reducing Bacteria for Environmental Monitoring and Planetary
Ignacio Gallardo-Carreño1, Mercedes Moreno-Paz1, Jacobo Aguirre1,2,3
1Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|January 4, 2021
Summary
A new antibody microarray, the PRBCHIP, reliably detects perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB) and key enzymes. This tool aids environmental monitoring on Earth and the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Astrobiology
Background:
- Perchlorate anions are industrial contaminants and naturally occurring compounds found in diverse environments, including Mars.
- Certain bacterial strains utilize perchlorate as an electron acceptor, making their detection crucial for environmental and astrobiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive and specific detection tool for perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB) and associated enzymes.
- To validate the tool for environmental monitoring and planetary exploration.
Main Methods:
- Development of an antibody microarray (PRBCHIP) with 20 polyclonal antibodies targeting PRB strains and key enzymes (perchlorate reductase, chlorite dismutase).
- Characterization of antibody cross-reactivity, working concentration, and limit of detection using Fluorescent Sandwich Microarray Immunoassay.
- Application of a graph theory-based deconvolution method to distinguish specific signals from cross-reactions.
- Validation using bacterial isolates, contaminated reactor extracts, and Arctic soil samples.
Main Results:
- The PRBCHIP demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting PRB and their enzymes.
- The deconvolution method effectively resolved cross-reactions from related microorganisms.
- The system successfully detected and classified environmental PRB isolates and identified similar strains in complex samples, even from low-biomass soils.
Conclusions:
- The PRBCHIP is a valuable tool for sensitive and reliable detection of perchlorate-reducing bacteria.
- This technology supports environmental monitoring, microbial research, and the search for life beyond Earth.
