Biosensors of the new type for detection of the bacterial cytolytic toxins. Bacterial cytolysines are the virulence act of many pathogenic bacteries, such as anthrax, cholera, sepsis, pneumonia pathogens. In the functional part of the biosensors artificial phospholipid membranes are used. Cytolytic proteins destroy the integrity of the phospholipidic monolayer and change their properties – elasticity and mass density. Changed properties of the phospholipidic monolayer are registered by the acoustic waves propagating over the microchannel. These biosensors have enormous application perspectives in detection of the pathogenic bacteries which secrece cytolysins. Sensors feature exceptional miniaturization potential and high biochemical interaction rate, which is maintained by integration of the analyte pumping and mixing elements within the sensor chip itself. The microelectromechanical part of the sensor is based on the application of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers technology. Application of the biosensors in the security systems of people working in the isolated environment, such as long-lasting space missions or in the systems preventing bioterrorism is foreseen.
Project funding:
Project is funded by the EU Structural Funds according to the 2007–2013 Human Resources Development Operational Programme, priority’s “Strengthening Researchers Abilities” measure “Promoting High-Level International Research”
Project results:
At the end of the project the proof of the concept of the phospholipidic biosensor featuring the structure of the capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer was demonstrated. Results are published in the research paper “Design, simulation and testing of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer-based phospholipidic biosensor elements” (Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 25(7)).
Project coordinator: Kaunas University of Technology
