This action aims to generate chemical sensing systems which would allow for the rapid, cost-effective identification of disease-causing organisms, addressing an urgent clinical need. We are developing develop polymeric sensing arrays which will be used to identify pathogens in a range of complex environments, such as contaminated water supplies, and in clinical samples. Our polymers contain chemical functionalities that mimic the cellular surface, and enable the adhesion of pathogens using the same recognition mechanisms used by pathogens to infect cells. Interaction of analytes with these sensors produces a unique ‘fluorescence fingerprint,’ which can be used to identify the analyte. Fluorescence measurements are incredibly sensitive, enabling the detection of very small amounts of the analyte.
The ability to rapidly identify disease-causing organisms using cheap, portable devices would provide a huge boost to public health efforts, enabling the prevention of disease by identifying bacterial contamination. Such systems would also improve the management of existing illness, by quickly identifying the pathogen causing disease, would allowing doctors to choose optimal treatment options.