Intelligent Live Cell-Based Sensing System for Automated Real-time Monitoring of Airborne Pathogens for Safe Indoor Environments

Na Wei, Vishal Verma, and Thanh Nguyen (Civil & Environmental Eng)
Brian Cunningham (Electrical & Computer Eng)
Dong Wang (Information Sciences)
Eric Morgan (Agr Leadership, Education & Communications – ACES)

Research Problem

Using microbes as biosensors has several advantages, including low cost, ease of production, and great potential to optimize selectivity and sensitivity. However, the use of living microorganisms to detect viral or bacterial pathogens has yet to be explored, with most current biosensors based on cell-free components. Whole-cell biosensors are primarily based on intracellular detection of analytes that can transport across the cell membrane, which is challenging for large biomolecules or pathogens. A few whole-cell biosensors are designed for the detection of target analyte extracellularly, but they have limited versatility because of the dependence on specific mechanisms of action of selected targets Meanwhile, a comprehensive and intelligent system capable of real-time, automated, and cost-effective in-field monitoring of airborne pathogens is highly desirable. Still, this goal has yet to be achieved.

Vision

Create a novel modular and stable whole-cell biosensor for rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of multiple critical airborne pathogens. Design an intelligent integrated system for in-field real-time automated monitoring of airborne pathogens.

Larger Impact

Biosensor engineering is highly novel and has a high-risk, high-reward nature. The seed funding will significantly facilitate the initiation of the research and the generation of preliminary results for more considerable external funding. Engineering live, cell-based sensors is at the forefront of developing innovative, portable, cost-effective platform systems for environmental monitoring and point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. As synthetic biology continues to advance rapidly, biosensor development represents an exciting direction that harnesses the power and complexity of a living system. In the long run, the biosensing platform from this research could spark new collaborations with researchers in the US and other countries to innovate solutions for various applications, such as real-time and scalable environmental monitoring, POC analysis in resource-limited areas, and sensing for soldiers on the battlefield. Along with any future improvement, the biosensing system has great potential to save lives, reduce economic burdens, protect public health, and ensure a sustainable future.