Rapid Discrimination of Bacterial Drug Resistivity by Array-Based Cross-Validation Using 2D MoS₂

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate microbial identification and drug resistance profiling are crucial for treating infectious diseases effectively.
• Understanding drug resistance patterns prevents antibiotic misuse and the development of further resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensor array for precise discrimination of bacterial strains and their drug resistance.
• To enable rapid and sensitive detection of microbial pathogens and their resistance mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sensor array using cationic two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) units and green fluorescent protein.
• Utilizing tunable interactions between cationic receptors and anionic microbial surfaces for discrimination.
• Employing a cross-identification method with both bacterial cells and lysates for enhanced detection.

Main Results:

• The sensor array successfully discriminated six different bacterial strains.
• It identified five types and three extents of drug-resistant variants of Escherichia coli.
• The cross-identification method significantly improved detection sensitivity and accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The proposed sensor array offers a versatile platform for rapid and sensitive detection of bacterial strains and their drug resistance.
• This approach provides a foundation for improved accuracy in array-based detection methods for infectious diseases.