Created a paper sensor that can recognize pathogenic bacteria

The development is a paper sensor approximately 3 x 5 cm in size. On its surface there is

a grid consisting of small circles on which the bacteria samples to be tested are placed. The device is called the “Paper Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensor Array.”

For the study, we developed and synthesizedfluorescent dyes that can “sense” the subtle biochemical differences of each type of bacteria and turn these differences into different fluorescent signals. 

The dried dyes are placed on the matrix circles.A sample of bacteria, such as E. coli, is placed on top of them. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the dyes are activated and send signals to the system. The reader scans them. The result is  a fluorescent pattern that is transmitted from the reader to an artificial neural network program that identifies the type of bacteria.

Scientists tested the system usingcollection of 16 types of bacteria. The system correctly identified 16 species more than 90% of the time, a level of accuracy that can provide health care workers with valuable information about specific bacteria in an infected person. This allows for precise and rapid treatment with antibiotics. The test also determined whether the bacteria were gram-positive or negative with 95% accuracy. 

Bacterial infections are the main causeillnesses and deaths around the world. The problem is compounded by slow or inaccurate diagnosis. The new device was designed for use, including in the most remote parts of the world, where modern methods requiring sophisticated equipment  are impossible. 

“The technology we have developed is extremelysensitive and accurate for identifying bacterial species, and also easy to manufacture,” explained Denis Svechkarev, one of the authors of the study. "The test is also robust enough to withstand delivery to remote locations and simple enough to be easily used by medical personnel with limited training and equipment."

The Gram test is a method that further identifies the composition of bacteria and is critical in determining which types of antibiotics are most effective.

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