Acoustofluidic device for acoustic capture of Bacillus anthracis spore analogues at low concentration

J Acoust Soc Am. 2021 Jun;149(6):4228. doi: 10.1121/10.0005278.

Abstract

A portable device for the rapid concentration of Bacillus subtilis var niger spores, also known as Bacillus globigii (BG), using a thin-reflector acoustofluidic configuration is described. BG spores form an important laboratory analog for the Bacillus anthracis spores, a serious health and bioterrorism risk. Existing systems for spore detection have limitations on detection time and detection that will benefit from the combination with this technology. Thin-reflector acoustofluidic devices can be cheaply and robustly manufactured and provide a more reliable acoustic force than previously explored quarter-wave resonator systems. The system uses the acoustic forces to drive spores carried in sample flows of 30 ml/h toward an antibody functionalized surface, which captures and immobilizes them. In this implementation, spores were fluorescently labeled and imaged. Detection at concentrations of 100 CFU/ml were demonstrated in an assay time of 10 min with 60% capture. We envisage future systems to incorporate more advanced detection of the concentrated spores, leading to rapid, sensitive detection in the presence of significant noise.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics
  • Bacillus anthracis*
  • Bacillus*
  • Spores, Bacterial

Supplementary concepts

  • Bacillus subtilis subsp. globigii