Authors:

Alex Author

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About Paper:

The foodborne pathogen Cyclospora cayetanensis poses a substantial public health risk, especially for immunocompromised individuals. Existing detection methods require sophisticated lab facilities, trained personnel, and substantial time commitment, involving techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) and sequencing. This underscores the need for a rapid, user-friendly testing methodology. Traditional approaches require antibodies, yet no such antibodies are available for C. cayetanensis. Therefore, our research focuses on the synthesis of aptamers, also known as "chemical antibodies", which consist of short- stranded DNA. In Dr. Lia Stanciu's laboratory, we've developed an economical, colorimetric paper-based analytical device (μ-PAD), fabricated using wax ink and incorporating a test spot coated with gold nanoparticles conjugated to aptamers. This device also includes a control. The fabrication of these μ-PADs involves the conjugation of gold nanoparticles to aptamers selected via the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) method, accompanied by a meticulous determination of the number of particles to drop cast onto the paper. When the specific C. cayetanensis protein TA4 interacts with the aptamer, we anticipate a color shift from red to blue, observable using a 3D- printed colorimetric reader. Given the high infectiousness of the pathogen, we've employed proteins produced via bacterial transformation for our experiments. After generating an aptamer specific to this protein (TA4) and successfully conjugating it to our nanoparticles, we plan to test our μ-PADs on actual C. cayetanensis parasites. In partnership with the FDA, we'll employ our optimized device within their labs for further validation.

Source:

Purdue University / 2023

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Co-authors:

Alex Author