(A) A schematic of the biosensor. (B) Real time detection of the effect of antibiotics (Ampicillin) on the growth of E. coli. (C) and (D) Real time detection of the effect of antifungal agents Miconazole and Amphotericin B on the growth of yeast.
Invention Summary:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a major global-health concern. Traditional assays available for monitoring bacterial and fungal growth require time-consuming and labor-intensive efforts. There is thus an urgent need to develop rapid and highly sensitive antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) tools for diagnosis and surveillance of A.
Rutgers researchers have developed a highly sensitive, rapid, compact and low-cost biosensor for AST applications. This technology is ideal for monitoring of response of microbes to antimicrobial agents in real-time. The Initial characterization of the biosensor has revealed its capability of detecting the bactericidal effect of ampicillin in E. coli, the growth inhibition effect of miconazole and cytotoxic effect of amphotericin B in yeast within 20-40 min. Additional validation has been performed using clinically relevant bacterial strains, which further demonstrates the versatility of this biosensor in AST applications.
Market Application:
- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
- Research tools
- Drug discovery - high throughput screening of antibiotics, antifungal and anticancer agents
Advantages:
- Highly sensitive
- Label-free
- Rapid & real-time monitoring
- Capable of being high throughput
- Low cost & compact
- Capable of wireless connection to personal electronics
Intellectual Property & Development Status:
Patent 10,801,879. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.
Publication:
Reyes PI, Yang K, Zheng A, Li R, Li G, Lu YC, Tsang CK, Zheng SX (2017) Dynamic monitoring of antimicrobial resistance using magnesium zinc oxide nanostructure-modified quartz crystal microbalance. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 93:189-197.
