Crossed Surface Relief gratings as cost-effective sensors for uropathogenic E. coli detection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevailing infectious diseases on a global scale. Every year, an estimated of 150 million people are affected by UTIs worldwide, and the majority of those infections (~ 80%) are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Rapid, inexpensive and sensitive detection of UPEC is critical given its recurrence worldwide. In this project, we propose the development of a label-free nanoplasmonic sensing platform, built with off-the-shelf optical and electronic components, which can detect intact UPEC, significantly reducing the time-consuming preprocessing steps, in contrast to traditional DNA extraction and amplification approaches. The nanoplasmonic (bio)sensor based on crossed surface relief gratings (CSRGs) provides a unique approach of quantitative monitoring of bacteria detection event, with the added benefits of being costeffective, facile to fabricate, and easy to scale up for high-throughput applications. We aim to capture and detect UPEC in concentrations typically associated with UTI diagnosis and detect UPEC in complex fluid matrices, like artificial urine.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carlos Escobedo

Student:

Partner:

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

Queen's University

Program: