While detection is the first step, characterization and quantification are equally important to reliably assess the danger of an infection.
While detection is the first step, characterization and quantification are equally important to reliably assess the danger of an infection.
Revision as of 09:13, 6 October 2014
2D Biosensor
While detection is the first step, characterization and quantification are equally important to reliably assess the danger of an infection.
Cellock Holmes is devised based upon a SynBio approach comprising of a two-dimensional biosensor and a measurement device. The two-dimensional biosensor (Figure 1) is designed to recognize quorum sensing molecules secreted by the pathogen cells and generate a distinct fluorescence signal.
Figure 1: Sampling of microorganisms (left) for the detection with a 2D biosensor (right)
In parallel, the team also aims to develop a more flexible novel molecular detection system for the biosensor based on binding proteins and genetic probes.
These molecular approaches were selected as a reasonable spectrum from the established to novel and high-potential modules.
The Aachen team is committed to consider all aspects of the entire project, including biosafety. The living cells inside the measurement device are ensured to be killed by irradiation with strong UV light. In this way neither the sampled pathogens nor the genetically modified sensor cells can escape our biosensor unit.
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