A microfluidic ATP-bioluminescence sensor for the detection of airborne microbes

Seung Jae Lee, Jae Sung Park, Hee Taek Im, Hyo Il Jung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Airborne pathogenic microorganisms are hazardous bioaerosols which often cause serious respiratory diseases. To prevent airborne infectious disease, real-time detection and monitoring systems of airborne pathogens are needed. Since ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a major biological energy source, the detection of ATP from aerosol reflects the existence of living microbes. Therefore, we developed a new biosensor to detect ATP from aerosols in real-time using an aerosol condensation system, a microfluidic channel, and an ATP-bioluminescence transducer. The condensation system enabled aerosol microbes (4 L) to be hydrosolized (0.2 ml) in 2 min. The bacterial intracellular ATP was then extracted in the passage through the microfluidic channel. The concentration of ATP could be determined by a bioluminescence sensor integrated in the channel. In this study, we used B. subtilis and E. coli JM110 as model airborne microbes. Our system can determine the existence of airborne microbes within 10 min. In the future, the application of our device will extend to the detection of fungi and consequently contribute to improving indoor air quality.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)443-448
Number of pages6
JournalSensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
Volume132
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 Jun 16

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by National Core Research Center (NCRC) for Nanomedical. Technology of the Korea Science & Engineering Foundation (Grant no. R15-2004-024-01001-0) and Seoul Research & Business Development (Seoul R&BD Program (11128&10816)).

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Instrumentation
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A microfluidic ATP-bioluminescence sensor for the detection of airborne microbes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this