Customized AIEgen-Based Molecular Signaling Tags Combined Microfluidic Chip for Point-of-Care Testing Viable E. coli...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Pathogenic bacterial infections, particularly from Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, present a substantial global health and economic challenge.
• Accurate and rapid detection of E. coli O157:H7 is crucial for preventing outbreaks and ensuring food, environmental, and clinical safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, rapid, and sensitive method for the on-site determination of live E. coli O157:H7.
• To integrate aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgen) with microfluidic technology for enhanced bacterial detection.

Main Methods:

• Customized AIEgen-based signaling tags (TPA-galactose) were synthesized and employed.
• A microfluidic chip was designed, incorporating phages on magnetic beads for specific capture and lysis of E. coli O157:H7.
• Detection relied on the enzymatic release of β-galactosidase, hydrolyzing TPA-galactose to a fluorescent product (TPA-OH) with AIE characteristics.

Main Results:

• The developed microfluidic chip achieved a detection sensitivity of 45 CFU/mL within 45 minutes.
• The assay demonstrated accurate, one-stop quantification of live E. coli O157:H7 without DNA extraction or amplification.
• Minimal sample volume was required, facilitating rapid on-site analysis.

Conclusions:

• This AIEgen-based microfluidic system provides a highly efficient platform for the rapid, sensitive, and on-site detection of E. coli O157:H7.
• The technology has significant potential for application in environmental monitoring, food safety testing, and clinical diagnostics.
• This approach enhances public health and safety by enabling swift identification of this critical pathogen.