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"Barcode" cell sensor microfluidic system: Rapid and sample-to-answer antimicrobial susceptibility testing applicable
Chiu-Wing Chan1, Han Sun1, Yisu Wang1
1Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University. Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|July 30, 2021
Summary
A novel, low-cost "barcode" sensor enables rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) without microscopes. This portable, phone-compatible system offers quick results for resource-limited settings, aiding the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) to preserve drug effectiveness.
- Existing rapid AST methods are often costly and require specialized equipment, limiting their use in resource-limited settings.
- There is a critical need for affordable, portable, and high-throughput AST solutions for on-site screening and surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-efficient, microscope-free platform for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).
- To create a portable and user-friendly system suitable for resource-limited environments.
- To enable rapid screening of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in various settings, including public health and pandemic surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel
- barcode
- cell sensor utilizing an adaptive linear filter array for automated cell counting.
- Integration of the sensor with an on-chip culture approach for rapid, automated drug exposure.
- Utilization of a cell phone for simple data analysis and result interpretation.
Main Results:
- The
- barcode
- sensor accurately counts small volumes of cells (~1.00 × 104 cells) without pre-incubation.
- The developed platform provides results in 2-3 hours, significantly faster than standard methods (16-24 hours).
- The system is affordable, portable, high-throughput, and user-friendly, requiring no expensive instrumentation like microscopy.
Conclusions:
- The
- barcode
- AST system offers a promising solution for rapid, on-site antimicrobial susceptibility testing in resource-limited conditions.
- Its microscopy-free, cost-effective, and portable design makes it suitable for diverse applications, including safety screenings and pandemic surveys.
- This technology has the potential to significantly contribute to global efforts in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
