Magnetic barcode assay for genetic detection of pathogens.

Nat Commun
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

The task of rapidly identifying patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in resource-constrained environments remains a challenge. A sensitive and robust platform that does not require bacterial isolation or culture is critical in making informed diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Here we introduce a platform for the detection of nucleic acids based on a magnetic barcoding strategy. PCR-amplified mycobacterial genes are sequence-specifically captured on microspheres, labelled by magnetic nanoprobes and detected by nuclear magnetic resonance. All components are integrated into a single, small fluidic cartridge for streamlined on-chip operation. We use this platform to detect M. tuberculosis and identify drug-resistance strains from mechanically processed sputum samples within 2.5 h. The specificity of the assay is confirmed by detecting a panel of clinically relevant non-M. tuberculosis bacteria, and the clinical utility is demonstrated by the measurements in M. tuberculosis-positive patient specimens. Combined with portable systems, the magnetic barcode assay holds promise to become a sensitive, high-throughput and low-cost platform for point-of-care diagnostics.

Year of Publication
2013
Journal
Nat Commun
Volume
4
Pages
1752
Date Published
2013
ISSN
2041-1723
URL
DOI
10.1038/ncomms2745
PubMed ID
23612293
PubMed Central ID
PMC3635151
Links
Grant list
R01-HL113156 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
DP2 0D001378 / DP / NCCDPHP CDC HHS / United States
T32 CA079443 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U19 AI076217 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268201000044C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 EB010011 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
R01-EB010011 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
T32 AI007638 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
DP2 OD001378 / OD / NIH HHS / United States
T32CA79443 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01-EB00462605A1 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
R01 EB004626 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268201000044C / PHS HHS / United States
R01 HL113156 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
P41 EB002503 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States