Colorimetric biosensing of pathogens using gold nanoparticles

Mohit S Verma; Jacob L Rogowski; Lyndon Jones; Frank X Gu

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.03.003

Colorimetric biosensing of pathogens using gold nanoparticles

Biotechnol Adv. 2015 Nov 1;33(6 Pt 1):666-80. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.03.003. Epub 2015 Mar 17.

Authors

Mohit S Verma¹, Jacob L Rogowski¹, Lyndon Jones², Frank X Gu³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
² Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Center for Contact Lens Research, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
³ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. Electronic address: frank.gu@uwaterloo.ca.

PMID: 25792228
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.03.003

Abstract

Rapid detection of pathogens is crucial to minimize adverse health impacts of nosocomial, foodborne, and waterborne diseases. Gold nanoparticles are extremely successful at detecting pathogens due to their ability to provide a simple and rapid color change when their environment is altered. Here, we review general strategies of implementing gold nanoparticles in colorimetric biosensors. First, we highlight how gold nanoparticles have improved conventional genomic analysis methods by lowering detection limits while reducing assay times. Then, we focus on emerging point-of-care technologies that aim at pathogen detection using simpler assays. These advances will facilitate the implementation of gold nanoparticle-based biosensors in diverse environments throughout the world and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Keywords: Bacteria; Color; DNA; Fungus; PCR; Point-of-care; Protein; RNA; Small molecule; Virus.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Bacterial Proteins / analysis
Biosensing Techniques* / instrumentation
Biosensing Techniques* / methods
Colorimetry* / instrumentation
Colorimetry* / methods
DNA, Bacterial / genetics
Gold*
Limit of Detection
Metal Nanoparticles*
Microbiological Techniques* / instrumentation
Microbiological Techniques* / methods
Nucleic Acids

Substances

Bacterial Proteins
DNA, Bacterial
Nucleic Acids
Gold