Single bacterial profiling and analysis using AC electrokinetics
8th, May 2019, Wednesday, 4:00pm, ChE Seminar hall
Abstract Established approaches for bacterial cell analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing based on culture methods have a typical turnaround time of 3 days or more. On the other hand, single cell investigation using microwell array technology is a fast and progressive way of obtaining phenotypic data and other subcellular information with greater ease, sensitivity and control. We have developed a high-throughput microelectrode array to isolate single bacterial cells from biological fluids using AC electrokinetics and analyzed them in the presence of different drugs using optical microscopy and impedance spectroscopy methods. For this, various experimental parameters such as electrode design, low conductive growth media, voltage, frequency, concentration and time have been optimized. Our preliminary results on S.typhi and E.coli bacteria show that cell-drug interaction can be monitored in real-time and greatly accelerates the cell viability analysis by measuring the live/dead status, changes in electrophysiology, doubling rate and other cellular parameters. We now wish to carry out a full screening of different drug types and determine cellular heterogeneities within a bacterial population against different antibiotics. We believe this rapid profiling approach can aid in faster diagnosis of bacterial infections and ultimately benefit the clinical decision-making process for antibiotic treatment, addressing the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance.