Detection of E. coli using a microfluidics-based antibody biochip detection system

This work demonstrates the detection of E. coli using a 2-dimensional photosensor array biochip which is efficiently equipped with a microfluidics sample/reagent delivery system for on-chip monitoring of bioassays. The biochip features a 4 x 4 array of independently operating photodiodes that are integrated along with amplifiers, discriminators and logic circuitry on a single platform. The microfluidics system includes a single 0.4 mL reaction chamber which houses a sampling platform that selectively captures detection probes from a sample through the use of immobilized bioreceptors. The independently operating photodiodes allow simultaneous monitoring of multiple samples. In this study the sampling platform is a cellulosic membrane that is exposed to E. coli organisms and subsequently analyzed using a sandwich immunoassay involving a Cy5-labeled antibody probe. The combined effectiveness of the integrated circuit (IC) biochip and the immunoassay is evaluated for assays performed both by conventional laboratory means followed by detection with the IC biochip, and through the use of the microfluidics system for on-chip detection. Highlights of the studies show that the biochip has a linear dynamic range of three orders of magnitude observed for conventional assays, and can detect 20 E. coli organisms. Selective detection of E. coli in a complex medium, milk diluent, is also reported for both off-chip and on-chip assays.     

Sensitive detection of enteropathogenic E. coli using a bfpA gene-based electrochemical sensor

We have developed a sensitive assay for enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) by integrating DNA extraction, specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA detection using an electrode modified with the bundle-forming pilus (bfpA) structural gene. The PCR amplified products are captured on the electrode and hybridized with biotinylated detection probes to form a sandwich hybrid containing two biotinylated detection probes. The sandwich hybridization structure significantly combined the numerous streptavidin alkaline phosphatase on the electrode by biotin-streptavidin connectors. Electrochemical readout is based on dual signal amplification by both the sandwich hybridization structure and the enzyme. The electrode can satisfactorily discriminate complementary and mismatched oligonucleotides. Under optimal conditions, synthetic target DNA can be detected in the 1 pM to 10 nM concentration range, with a detection limit of 0.3 pM. EPEC can be quantified in the 10 to 10⁷ CFU mL^?1 levels within 3.5 h. The method also is believed to present a powerful platform for the screening of pathogenic microorganisms in clinical diagnostics, food safety and environmental monitoring.

Intensified biochip system using chemiluminescence for the detection of Bacillus globigii spores

This paper reports the first intensified biochip system for chemiluminescence detection and the feasibility of using this system for the analysis of biological warfare agents is demonstrated. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay targeting Bacillus globigii spores, a surrogate species for Bacillus anthracis, using a chemiluminescent alkaline phosphatase substrate is combined with a compact intensified biochip detection system. The enzymatic amplification was found to be an attractive method for detection of low spore concentrations when combined with the intensified biochip device. This system was capable of detecting approximately 1 × 10⁵ Bacillus globigii spores. Moreover, the chemiluminescence method, combined with the self-contained biochip design, allows for a simple, compact system that does not require laser excitation and is readily adaptable to field use. Figure Schematic diagram of the miniature biochip detection system     

Multi-analyte analysis system using an antibody-based biochip

A multi-analyte detection system using a unique antibody (Ab) biochip is described. The Ab-based biochip, also referred to as the protein biochip, uses a sensor array based on a complementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) integrated circuit. The Ab-biochip has a sampling platform of four-by-four microarrays of antibodies deposited onto a Nylon membrane substrate. The micro-arrayed antibodies can be interrogated simultaneously or sequentially using the biochip sensing array detector with the use of a diffractive optical element illuminating each antibody spot individually. The usefulness of the Ab biochip is illustrated by the measurements of immunoglobulin G (IgG) used as the model analyte system. The detection limit for Cy5-labeled IgG molecules was 13 pg.     

Microarray sampling-platform fabrication using bubble-jet technology for a biochip system

The fabrication of microarrays containing PCR-amplified genomic DNA extracts from mice tumors on a Zetaprobe membrane using a modified thermal ink-jet printer is described. A simple and cost-effective procedure for the fabrication of microarrays containing biological samples using a modified bubble-jet printing system is presented. Because of their mass-produced design, ink-jet printers are a much cheaper alternative to conventional spotting techniques. The usefulness of the biochip microarray platform is illustrated by the detection of human fragile histidine triad (FHIT), a tumor suppressor gene. Subcutaneous carcinomas were induced with MKN/FHIT and MKN/E4 cell lines in immunodeficient mice. Several weeks into their development, the tumors from both groups of mice were removed and subjected to DNA extraction by lysis of tissue samples. The extracted DNA samples were amplified by PCR (30 cycles) using the primers corresponding to nucleotides 2 to 18 of the FHIT sequence. The resulting solution was transferred to the individual reservoirs of a three-color cartridge from a conventional thermal ink-jet printer (HP 694C), and arrays were printed on to a Zetaprobe membrane. After spotting, these membranes were used in a hybridization assay, using fluorescent probes, and detected with a biochip.     

Electrochemical detection of E. coli 16S rDNA sequence using air-plasma-activated fullerene-impregnated screen printed electrodes

A new DNA modified electrode for the electrochemical detection of 16S rDNA extracted from Escherichia coli (JCM1649) is proposed. The electrodes were fabricated by screen printing a fullerene-impregnated carbon ink onto a poly(methylmethacrylate) substrate and immobilizing a probe DNA on the surface after activating the electrode with air plasma. The results indicated a dramatic improvement in the surface coverage of the immobilized probe DNA, and of the reduction peak of the redox indicator (Co(phen)(3)(3+)) due to the incorporation of fullerene. By immobilizing the probe onto the fullerene-impregnated screen-printed electrodes, the PCR product of the 16S rDNA extracted from E. coli was directly detected without any pretreatment. A well defined signal difference was observed between the perfectly matching oligonucleotide and the mismatching one, and it was possible to detect the target at the modified electrode. This method enabled us to clearly detect the two base mismatches in the ca. 1500-bases long 16S rDNA sequence.     

An anti E. coli O157:H7 antibody-immobilized microcantilever for the detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli).

A silicon microcantilever sensor was developed for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The microcantilever was modified by anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies on the silicon surface of the cantilever. When the aquaria E. coli O157:H7 positive sample is injected into the fluid cell where the microcantilever is held, the microcantilever bends upon the recognition of the E. coli O157:H7 antigen by the antibodies on the surface of the microcantilever. A negative control sample that does not contain E. coli O157:H7 antigen did not cause any bending of the microcantilever. The detection limit of the sensor was 1 x 10(6) cfu/mL when the assay time was < 2 h.     

Development of a photodiode array biochip using a bipolar semiconductor and its application to detection of human papilloma virus

We describe a DNA microarray system using a bipolar integrated circuit photodiode array (PDA) chip as a new platform for DNA analysis. The PDA chip comprises an 8 × 6 array of photodiodes each with a diameter of 600 μm. Each photodiode element acts both as a support for an immobilizing probe DNA and as a two-dimensional photodetector. The usefulness of the PDA microarray platform is demonstrated by the detection of high-risk subtypes of human papilloma virus (HPV). The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified biotinylated HPV target DNA was hybridized with the immobilized probe DNA on the photodiode surface, and the chip was incubated in an anti-biotin antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticle solution. The silver enhancement by the gold nanoparticles bound to the biotin of the HPV target DNA precipitates silver metal particles at the chip surfaces, which block light irradiated from above. The resulting drop in output voltage depends on the amount of target DNA present in the sample solution, which allows the specific detection and the quantitative analysis of the complementary target DNA. The PDA chip showed high relative signal ratios of HPV probe DNA hybridized with complementary target DNA, indicating an excellent capability in discriminating HPV subtypes. The detection limit for the HPV target DNA analysis improved from 1.2 nM to 30 pM by changing the silver development time from 5 to 10 min. Moreover, the enhanced silver development promoted by the gold nanoparticles could be applied to a broader range of target DNA concentration by controlling the silver development time. Figure An optical image of the PDA chip and target DNA detection through silver enhancement Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Antibacterial mechanism of chitosan microspheres in a solid dispersing system against E. coli

In this study, we investigated the antibacterial mechanism through the interfacial contacting inhibition behaviors of chitosan antimicrobials against Escherichia coli in solid dispersing state. Chitosan microspheres (CMs) were prepared by emulsification cross-linking reaction, and oleoyl-CMs (OCMs) were obtained by introduction of oleoyl groups to the chitosan. The CMs were with smooth surface and spherical shape of diameter of about 124 microm. The antibacterial activity was directly proportional to the concentration and the hydrophobic property of CMs. The fluorescence experiments indicated CMs had influenced the structure of membrane, especially the OCMs were speculated to interact with proteins on the cell membrane. SEM photographs showed E. coli adhered to the surface of the CMs and provided evidences for the disruption of the cells, while the bacterium conglomerated on the surface of the OCMs. The CMs changed the permeability of membrane and caused cellular leakage that correlated with the hydrophobic interaction between CMs and cytoplasmic membrane phospholipids of Gram-negative bacteria. Solid dispersing system makes the antibacterial activities of CMs counted as a sequent event-driven to study the antibacterial mechanism of chitosan originally.     

Simplified determination of bacterial contamination by Escherichia coli using a flow injection system with piezoelectric detection

A rapid and automated method was developed for the determination of bacterial contamination and using Escherichia coli as a model microorganism. The method involves the use of a sensor connected to a flow injection (FI) system. The sample is introduced through a flow injection system into a piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) flow-cell. The resulting change of the resonance frequency is related to the bacterial contamination in the sample. The parameters associated with the flow system and the conditions for introducing the sample culture were optimized. Calibration curves are linear in the range from 3.2?×?10⁷ to 3.2?×?10⁹ cfu per mL^-1, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The reproducibility was between 3.1 and 7.6%, and the detection limit is 1.1?×?10⁷ cfu per mL^-1. The method allowed the determination of bacterial contamination in residual water and in samples of milk and chicken stock within 5 h, while the conventional plate count method requires 24 to 48 h. The results obtained by these two methods are in good agreement.

Quantum dot enabled detection of Escherichia coli using a cell-phone

We report a cell-phone based Escherichia coli (E. coli) detection platform for screening of liquid samples. In this compact and cost-effective design attached to a cell-phone, we utilize anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibody functionalized glass capillaries as solid substrates to perform a quantum dot based sandwich assay for specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 in liquid samples. Using battery-powered inexpensive light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) we excite/pump these labelled E. coli particles captured on the capillary surface, where the emission from the quantum dots is then imaged using the cell-phone camera unit through an additional lens that is inserted between the capillary and the cell-phone. By quantifying the fluorescent light emission from each capillary tube, the concentration of E. coli in the sample is determined. We experimentally confirmed the detection limit of this cell-phone based fluorescent imaging and sensing platform as ～5 to 10 cfu mL(-1) in buffer solution. We also tested the specificity of this E. coli detection platform by spiking samples with different species (e.g., Salmonella) to confirm that non-specific binding/detection is negligible. We further demonstrated the proof-of-concept of our approach in a complex food matrix, e.g., fat-free milk, where a similar detection limit of ～5 to 10 cfu mL(-1) was achieved despite challenges associated with the density of proteins that exist in milk. Our results reveal the promising potential of this cell-phone enabled field-portable and cost-effective E. coli detection platform for e.g., screening of water and food samples even in resource limited environments. The presented platform can also be applicable to other pathogens of interest through the use of different antibodies.     

Bactericidal effect of an electrodialysis system on E. coli cells

Using a new electrodialysis system with both cation- and anion-exchange membranes, the bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli has been investigated in detail from the standpoint of electrochemistry. Various electrolyte solutions containing E. coli (10⁸ cells/cm³) were passed through a desalting chamber at a flow rate of 3 cm³/min under varying current densities, and the viability of the cell (%) and the pH changes in the effluents were measured. When a 0.1 M NaCl aqueous suspension was used, a disinfection effect emerged in the vicinity of the limiting current density (LCD 0.81 A/dm²) and increased with an increase in the current density. The pH value of the suspensions decreased owing to the dissociation of water to H⁺ and OH⁻ ions by the well-known “neutrality disturbance phenomenon” in the region beyond the LCD. These tendencies were also observed when other electrolyte suspensions were used. Concerning the effect of the various species on the disinfection of E. coli cells, ionic systems in which a LCD was easily attained were found to have a strong effect.The germicidal effect may be due to a synergistic effect of acidic H⁺ and basic OH⁻ ions which are produced on the anion-exchange membrane and cation-exchange membrane, respectively, of the desalting chamber.     

基于甘露糖功能化的水凝胶用于E.coli O157: H7的检测

利用伴刀豆球蛋白A(Con A)的多价结合能力, 结合水凝胶技术与核酸染色技术发展了一种基于甘露糖功能化的水凝胶检测大肠杆菌(E.coli)O157: H7的方法. 以过硫酸铵(APS)为催化剂, 四甲基乙二胺(TEMED)为加速剂, 用丙烯酰胺(AAm)、N,N-二甲基双丙烯酰胺和N-丙烯酰氧琥珀酰亚胺(NAS)合成水凝胶, 通过氨基化甘露糖与NAS发生交联反应, 制备了甘露糖功能化的水凝胶. 当甘露糖功能化的水凝胶加入与Con A共孵育后的菌悬液中时, 由于Con A既能与甘露糖特异性结合, 又能与E.coli O157: H7表面的O-抗原发生免疫反应而紧密连接, 使目标菌被捕获到水凝胶表面, 采用核酸染料SYBR Green Ⅰ对捕获细菌进行染色, 实现了对E.coli O157: H7的核酸标记, 最后通过活体荧光成像系统对水凝胶进行荧光成像, 从而实现对待测样品的检测. 研究结果表明, 该方法可应用于缓冲液体系和混合细菌样品中E.coli O157: H7的特异性检测, 且整个检测步骤包括样品预处理可在2 h内完成. 该方法成本低、易操作, 且具有较好的灵敏度, 可检出3.7×10¹ Cells/mL的目标细菌样品.     

Colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli using engineered bacteriophage and an affinity reporter system

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - Reporter phage systems have emerged as a promising technology for the detection of bacteria in foods and water. However, the sensitivity of these assays is...     

Validation of the Soleris E. coli method for detection and semi-quantitative determination of Escherichia coli in foods

The performance of the Soleris E. coli method was compared with that of the ISO 7251 most probable number (MPN) and detection reference methods for Escherichia coli. The Soleris E. coli method is a growth-based, rapid, automated system composed of temperature-controlled incubation chambers and photodiode-based optical detection devices for measurement of color changes in a prepared medium vial. A dilution of the test sample homogenate is inoculated directly into the vial. Products of E. coli metabolism alter the color of the medium over time, and this change is monitored by the Soleris instrument. The test is used in a dilute-to-specification or specification monitoring manner in which the result is positive or negative around a desired cutoff (in CFU/g) determined by the dilution and volume of sample homogenate added to the vial. Alternatively, the test is used for zero tolerance determinations (e.g., absence in 25 g) by performing an off-line pre-enrichment step followed by transfer of a portion of the pre-enrichment culture to the Soleris vial. Six E. coli strains originating from food sources were inoculated individually into six food commodities: frozen green beans, Echinacea powder, cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, pasteurized liquid egg, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Uninoculated samples were included in each trial. The results obtained by the ISO 7251 detection method and the Soleris E. coli method were shown to be in agreement by Chi-square analysis when the presence of E. coli was determined in 25 g of sample. Results from the Soleris E. coli dilute-to-specification method and the ISO 7251 MPN method were found to be in agreement by probability of detection statistical analysis. In inclusivity testing, 52 of 53 E. coli strains were detected within 24 h. Only a non-thermoduric strain of serotype O157:H43 was not detected. In exclusivity testing, all 31 strains tested produced negative results. Results of ruggedness experiments show that accurate results can be obtained even when the operating temperature of the Soleris instrument is set beyond normal tolerances. The internal and independent laboratory studies demonstrated that the Soleris E. coli method could be successfully utilized as an alternative to the reference methods, with a significant time savings of 2 to 3 days.     

Probing chemical induced cellular stress by non-Faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using an Escherichia coli capacitive biochip

A new capacitive biochip was developed using carboxy-CNT activated gold interdigitated (GID) capacitors immobilized with E. coli cells for the detection of cellular stress caused by chemicals. Here, acetic acid, H(2)O(2) and NaCl were employed as model chemicals to test the biochip and monitored the responses under AC electrical field by non-Faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (nFEIS). The electrical properties of E. coli cells under different stresses were studied based on the change in surface capacitance as a function of applied frequency (300-600 MHz) in a label-free and noninvasive manner. The capacitive response of the E. coli biochip under normal conditions exhibited characteristic dispersion peaks at 463 and 582 MHz frequencies. Deformation of these signature peaks determined the toxicity of chemicals to E. coli on the capacitive biochip. The E. coli cells were sensitive to, and severely affected by 166-498 mM (1-3%) acetic acid with declined capacitance responses. The E. coli biochip exposed to H(2)O(2) exhibited adaptive responses at lower concentrations (<2%), while at a higher level (882 mM, 3%), the capacitance response declined due to oxidative toxicity in cells. However, E. coli cells were not severely affected by high NaCl levels (513-684 mM, 3-4%) as the cells tend to resist the salt stress. Our results demonstrated that the biochip response at a particular frequency enabled the determination of the severity of the stress imposed by chemicals and it can be potentially applied for monitoring unknown chemicals as an indicator of cytotoxicity.     

Complete biosynthesis of erythromycin A and designed analogs using E. coli as a heterologous host

Erythromycin A is a potent antibiotic long-recognized as a therapeutic option for bacterial infections. The soil-dwelling bacterium Saccharopolyspora erythraea natively produces erythromycin A from a 55 kb gene cluster composed of three large polyketide synthase genes (each ~10 kb) and 17 additional genes responsible for deoxysugar biosynthesis, macrolide tailoring, and resistance. In this study, the erythromycin A gene cluster was systematically transferred from S. erythraea to E. coli for reconstituted biosynthesis, with titers reaching 10 mg/l. Polyketide biosynthesis was then modified to allow the production of two erythromycin analogs. Success establishes E. coli as a viable option for the heterologous production of erythromycin A and more broadly as a platform for the directed production of erythromycin analogs.     

Reveal E. coli 2.0 method for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw beef

Reveal E. coli 2.0 is a new lateral-flow immunodiagnostic test for detection of E. coli O157:H7 and O157:NM in raw beef trim and ground beef. Compared with the original Reveal E. coli O157:H7 assay, the new test utilizes a unique antibody combination resulting in improved test specificity. The device architecture and test procedure have also been modified, and a single enrichment protocol was developed which allows the test to be performed at any point during an enrichment period of 12 to 20 h. Results of inclusivity and exclusivity testing showed that the test is specific for E. coli serotypes O157:H7 and O157:NM, with the exception of two strains of O157:H38 and one strain of O157:H43 which produced positive reactions. In internal and independent laboratory trials comparing the Reveal 2.0 method to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Food Safety and Inspection Service reference culture procedure for detection of E. coli O157:H7 in 65 and 375 g raw beef trim and ground beef samples, there were no statistically significant differences in method performance with the exception of a single internal trial with 375 g ground beef samples in which the Reveal method produced significantly more positive results. There were no unconfirmed positive results by the Reveal assay, for specificity of 100%. Results of ruggedness testing showed that the Reveal test produces accurate results even with substantial deviation in sample volume or device incubation time or temperature. However, addition of the promoter reagent to the test sample prior to introducing the test device is essential to proper test performance.