Multifunctional nanoparticle platforms for pathogen diagnostic applications

We have developed a series of vanco mycin-modified nanoparticles for the affinity magnetic capture of multiple species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The orientation/architecture of the vancomycin moiety on the nanoparticle surface is important in determining how effectively the nanoparticles can bind to the surface of bacteria, which in turn affects the ability for the nanoparticles to magnetically confine the bacteria. With the proper surface orientation, the vancomycin-modified nanoparticles can effectively confine at least eight different species of bacteria. We have also prepared single-domain antibody-modified nanoparticles for the selective magnetic capture of S. aureus cells. In parallel we are developing hybrid nanoparticle detection platforms that utilize hybrid magnetic/luminescent nanoparticles comprised organic fluorescent dyes and superparamagnetic nanoparticles, where the hybrid nanoparticles can be exploited for simultaneous magnetic confinement and optical detection of a single bacteria species from a given sample.