Spores for the stabilization and on-site application of bacterial whole-cell biosensing systems
OwnerSylvia Daunert, Sapna K. Deo +2inventors
InventorsSylvia Daunert, Sapna K. Deo, Patrizia Pasini, Amol Date
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Abstract
The presently-disclosed subject matter is directed to biosensors comprising spore-forming bacterial cells and/or spores generated therefrom, a recognition unit within each spore-forming cell for binding an analyte of interest, and a reporter molecule within each spore-forming cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of using the biosensors and systems and kits including the biosensors.
Claims39
A biosensor, comprising:
- (a) a spore-forming bacterial cell, wherein the cell can generate one or more spores capable of being germinated to thereby reproduce the spore-forming bacterial cell;
- (b) a recognition element within the spore-forming bacterial cell for binding an analyte of interest;
- and
- (c) a reporter molecule within the spore-forming bacterial cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element.
A system for detecting an analyte of interest, comprising:
- (a) a biosensor, comprising:
- i. a spore-forming bacterial cell, or a spore generated from the spore-forming bacterial cell, wherein the cell can generate one or more spores capable of being germinated to thereby reproduce the spore-forming bacterial cell;
- ii. a recognition element within the spore-forming bacterial cell for binding an analyte of interest;
- and
- iii. a reporter molecule within the spore-forming bacterial cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element;
- (b) a substrate supporting the spore-forming bacterial cell or the spore;
- and
- (c) a signal reader for detecting the signal generated by the reporter molecule.
A method of detecting an analyte of interest, comprising:
- (a) contacting a test sample suspected of containing the analyte of interest with a biosensor, wherein the biosensor comprises a spore-forming bacterial cell which can generate one or more spores capable of being germinated to thereby reproduce the spore-forming bacterial cell;
- and
- (b) determining whether a detectable signal is produced by the biosensor to thereby detect the analyte of interest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.