A Novel Hybrid Platform for Live/Dead Bacteria Accurate Sorting by On-Chip DEP Device

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microfluidics
• Antimicrobial Resistance Research

Background:

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, projected by the WHO to cause widespread mortality.
• Current Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) methods are often slow, hindering timely and effective antibiotic treatment selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, on-chip platform for efficient Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST).
• To enable the differentiation of live and dead bacteria at the single-cell level for improved diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a micromixer for prolonged antibiotic-bacteria interaction (approx. 1 hour).
• Utilization of a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based microfluidic channel for bacterial sorting.
• Employment of engineered electrodes for DEP manipulation.

Main Results:

• Achieved a sorting efficiency exceeding 98% for live versus dead bacteria.
• Demonstrated low power consumption (1 V) and a rapid time response of 5 seconds.
• Designed a compact chip with a footprint of approximately 86 mm².

Conclusions:

• The proposed on-chip DEP system offers an innovative and efficient solution for rapid AST.
• This technology facilitates real-time monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility at the single-bacterium level.
• The platform holds significant potential for next-generation medical diagnostics and personalized medicine.