Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Phages modified hydrogel pellet assembled in 3D printed both-in-one device for detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa based
Jizhou Li1, Chong Yu1, Hongwei Yuan1
1NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
Abstract:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) with noticeable drug-resistance profile is one of the most pernicious pathogens that attracts major public health concerns. Herein, a 3D printed device combined with hydrogel pellet modified with phages was designed for point-of-care testing (POCT) of this pathogen with both colorimetric and pressure readout modes. A P. aeruginosa phage belonging to the family of Podoviridae was isolated from river water and noted as vB_PaeP-JZ1 (JZ1). Due to its host specificity, phage JZ1 was used as a recognizing agent for modifying the hydrogel pellet, and the modified hydrogel pellet was assembled into the 3D printed device to act as the sensing interface. Polymyxin B (PMB) was tagged with Pd@Pt core-shell nanodendrites (Pd@PtNDs) showing excellent peroxidase-like activity to act as the colorimetric and pressure signal tracer. P. aeruginosa can be quantified within the concentration ranges of 2.6 × 103 cfu mL-1 - 2.6 × 108 cfu mL-1 and 2.6 × 102 cfu mL-1 - 2.6 × 107 cfu mL-1 with colorimetric and pressure readout modes, respectively. The both modes can achieve quantitation of P. aeruginosa within 25 min. Thus the "both-in-one" 3D printed device with dual-mode readout function offers a rapid, sensitive, and specific platform for POCT of pathogenic bacteria.
Insights
A novel 3D printed device uses phage-modified hydrogels for rapid point-of-care testing (POCT) of drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This dual-mode sensor provides sensitive colorimetric and pressure readouts within 25 minutes.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a significant public health concern due to its increasing drug resistance.
- Current diagnostic methods for P. aeruginosa can be time-consuming and lack point-of-care (POCT) capabilities.
- Phage-based detection offers high specificity for bacterial pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, sensitive, and specific POCT device for detecting P. aeruginosa.
- To integrate dual colorimetric and pressure readout modes into a single 3D printed platform.
- To utilize bacteriophages and nanodendrites for enhanced pathogen detection.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of a P. aeruginosa specific phage (vB_PaeP-JZ1, JZ1) from river water.
- Modification of a hydrogel pellet with phage JZ1 to create a specific sensing interface within a 3D printed device.
- Conjugation of Polymyxin B (PMB) with Pd@Pt core-shell nanodendrites (Pd@PtNDs) for signal transduction.
Main Results:
- The 3D printed device successfully detected P. aeruginosa using both colorimetric and pressure readout modes.
- Quantification ranges were 2.6 × 10³ - 2.6 × 10⁸ cfu mL⁻¹ (colorimetric) and 2.6 × 10² - 2.6 × 10⁷ cfu mL⁻¹ (pressure).
- Detection and quantification were achieved within 25 minutes, demonstrating rapid assay performance.
Conclusions:
- The developed 'both-in-one' 3D printed device offers a promising platform for rapid and sensitive POCT of P. aeruginosa.
- The dual-mode readout enhances detection capabilities and provides a robust diagnostic tool.
- This approach holds potential for addressing the challenge of drug-resistant bacterial infections at the point of care.
