| Sep 13, 2020 | |
Nanotechnology-based biosensor for the detection of harmful bacteria in potable water(Nanowerk News) Water distribution systems represent potential targets for terrorist activity because of the need for water in every sector of our industrialized society. The deliberate contamination of water reservoirs or pipes with biological agents such as pathogens or biotoxins might constitute a mass destruction bioweapon. | |
| With this in mind, the SPS Multi-Year Project NANOtechnology inspired biosensor with photo-responsive Liquid Crystals – NANO-LC, launched in August 2020, aims at investigating a novel nanotechnology-based biosensor specifically utilized for the detection of harmful bacteria intentionally or unintentionally dispersed in potable water. | |
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| The nano-inspired device makes use of a chemically functionalized gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) array (for the selection of specific pathogens) layered with a photo-responsive liquid crystal (LC) film (for real-time detection) and with a microfluidic circuit. | |
| NANO-LC is part of the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme and contributes to NATO’s strategic objectives by developing a new generation of early warning systems that monitor the quality of source water, thus protecting the consumers and minimizing all the related risks. Moreover, NANO-LC actively promotes practical scientific cooperation between a NATO member (Italy) and a partner nation (Republic of Korea). | |
Project goals | |
| With the vision to improve international security and minimize the risks associated to mass destruction bioweapons, NANO-LC will pioneer a new breakthrough technology aiming at demonstrating the realization of a nanotechnology-based biosensor by synergistic exploitation of chemically functionalized Au NPs and light-responsive LCs. | |
| NANO-LC aims at reinforcing international security thanks to the realization of a miniaturized biosensor able to monitor in realtime the quality of drinkable water. If the water is intentionally or unintentionally contaminated with specific harmful pathogens, the proposed device will be able to recognize/quantify the associated risks, thus alerting competent authorities about contamination. This information is essential to save lives and avoid all the related potential economic consequences. | |
| The proposed biosensor will be characterized by compactness (few cm2), real-time monitoring (∼300-400 ms), extremely high sensitivity (few percentage tolerance) and will offer a quantitative (intensity measurement) along with a chemical recognition (color change) of the bio-associated risks. The low cost of the proposed biosensor will make this technology suitable for a variety of contexts. | |
Expected results | |
| NANO-LC intends to deliver a truly innovative biosensor with a medium technology readiness level (TRL 4) for the detection of harmful pathogens dispersed in potable water. The strong experience and know-how of the consortium along with the long-lasting collaboration between both NPD/PPD and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as end-user will be a key factor for the realization of a new technology capable of contributing to international security. | |
| The role of the end-user will be crucial not only for assisting the consortium during the research and development process, but also assessing the promise of the proposed technology with an eye towards communicating the results to defense customers to enable pushing the technology towards higher TRLs and potentially manufacturing the sensors. | |
| The project promotes collaborative and cooperative applied research based on solid milestones and concrete deliverables for both NPD/PPD and AFRL. NANO-LC proposes an impactful technology for global biosecurity, while training a new generation of experts and passionate young scientists throughout the project, providing them with theoretical and practical knowledge. | |
Participating institutions | |
| Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. With over 700 years of history, over 113,000 students, 3,300 teachers and 2,000 employees, technicians and librarians, in addition to 1,800 administrative staff in university hospitals, Sapienza is the first university in Europe. Its mission is to contribute to the development of a knowledge society through research, excellence, quality education and international cooperation. In this context, five Nobel Prize winners and a large number of internationally renowned scientists have taught and/or studied at Sapienza. | |
| Scientific research activity at Sapienza covers an extremely broad spectrum of disciplines, reaching levels of excellence in many areas, including archaeology, physics and astrophysics, humanities and cultural heritage, the environment, nanotechnologies, cell and gene therapy, design, aerospace, social and economic sciences. | |
| The Department of Medico-surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies (DMSSB) aggregates academics of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine performing their research activity in scientific areas related to diagnostics, medicine, surgery and medical physics. By virtue of the integration of existing research programs in basic and applied sciences with care activity in Health Departments of Latina and Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, academics of DMSSB pursue several lines of research ranging from applied biomedical sciences to surgical sciences. The role of DMSSB is strongly linked to its experience in the field of biotechnologies and advanced medicine. Moreover, in the past two years DMSSB has established an innovative center for Bio-Photonics working at the crossroads between physics, biotechnology and high precision medicine. | |
| Jeonbuk National University, Republic of Korea. Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is located in the historical city of Jeonju, Republic of Korea. As the flagship national university for the Jeollabuk-do Province, it was founded in 1947 by the provincial fund within the framework of the Korean national university system, following the liberation of the country. | |
| JBNU is a research-focused educational institution based on materials science, which consist of IT, nanotechnology, bio-technology, and environmental technology, and maintains a close relationship with various universities to perform interdisciplinary collaborative research. They The Department of Polymer-Nano Science & Technology has various facilities driven by the resident expertise for strong interactions with the polymer industry and other centers of polymer research. These facilities are engaged in activities ranging from the development of advanced materials and characterization of their materials properties, through methods for their processing, to device prototype development. |
| Source: Sapienza, University of Rome | |
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