Objective This project sets out to develop a novel prototype acoustic biosensor for use in the detection of microbial pathogens and spoilage organisms in food. Research has been carried out in order to exploit the aspect of immunological specificity coupled to acoustic based transducer technology for the detection of spoilage/pathogenic microorganisms in food.The work has involved:the nucleotide sequence determination of a ferric siderophore receptor protein from Pseudomonas strain M114 domain analysis of the receptor protein to identify surface exposed regions and to generate antibodies directed agaisnt such regions;analysis of the adsorption of radiolabelled immunoglobulin G (IgG) to silver and lithium niobate surfaces;fabrication, electrical characterization and analysis of the performance of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices in liquid environments;design and construction of SAW devices;assessment of the specificity of developed antibodies.Biotechnology and microelectronics are brought together in this pre-competitive project. The project is concerned with: 1. Identification of novel surface antigens for the detection of particular strains/species of bacteria; 2. Development of poly- and monoclonal antibodies to these surface antigens; 3. Evaluation of these developed antibodies with regard to species/strain specificity; 4. Acoustic wave transducer design for biosensor applications; 5. Modelling of surface acoustic wave (SAW) transducer devices; 6. Definition, development and optimisation of an acoustic transducer fabrication process; 7. Development of interfacial chemistries to covalently attach antibodies to the transducer surface; 8. Comparison of the newly developed prototype acoustic biosensor with the available technologies for the detection of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in food. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensorsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesacoustics Programme(s) FP2-FLAIR - Multiannual research and development programme (EEC) in food science and technology (FLAIR), 1989-1993 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator National University of Ireland, Cork EU contribution No data Address Western Road 30 Cork Ireland See on map Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Quality Assurance Laboratory Ireland EU contribution No data Address Moorepark Fermoy See on map Total cost No data University of Cambridge United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Tennis Court Road CB2 1QT Cambridge See on map Total cost No data
