Unique considerations are required when designing pathogen detection assays for low resource settings such as farms. These devices must be low-cost, user friendly and robust. In addition, typical lab equipment such as centrifuges and water filtration units may not be available. We have designed a pragmatic on-farm pathogen detection system which is able to meet these stringent requirements while maintaining a low limit of detection.  The polymer-based sensor was designed to quantify E. coli in post-harvest wash water and incorporated electrowetting valves to reduce user input. The low-voltage valves were computer controlled for timed and automated fluid delivery. Bacteriaphage provided target identification and amplification. The phage were used to infect and subsequently lyse the E. coli releasing the replicated phage. The increased phage numbers were quantified fluorescently in the microfluidic chip. The phage amplification method was able to provide a low limit of detection.

Design of a low-cost and user friendly nanosensor for on-farm pathogen detection

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.