Fluorescent sensors for detecting microbial contamination via bacterial siderophores

Overview

This technology is a panel of 20 high-affinity fluorescent sensors designed to detect bacterial siderophores, which are natural iron-chelating compounds produced by bacteria to acquire iron from their environment. Because siderophore production is a hallmark of specific bacterial species, detecting these molecules provides a reliable diagnostic indicator of microbial contamination. The sensors can identify particular Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including ESKAPE pathogens (a group of antibiotic-resistant organisms of high clinical concern), in laboratory, clinical, agricultural, and food samples. By translating siderophore detection into a measurable fluorescent signal, the technology offers a rapid, sensitive approach to contamination screening without the need for traditional culture-based methods.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• A library of 20 fluorescent sensors, each tuned to recognize distinct bacterial siderophores
• High-affinity binding enables sensitive detection of low-abundance siderophores in complex sample matrices
• Fluorescence quenching-based assay format adaptable to solution and solid-phase readouts
• Compatibility with standard UV or visible light illumination for straightforward signal visualization
• Applicability across sample types including clinical specimens, food products, agricultural materials, and research solutions
• Capacity to distinguish specific bacterial species based on their unique siderophore profiles

How it works:

The sensors are engineered to bind siderophores with high affinity. When a target siderophore is present in a sample, it interacts with the sensor and modulates its fluorescence, producing a detectable signal change. This quenching-based mechanism allows both qualitative identification (presence or absence of contamination) and quantitative measurement of siderophore levels, which correlate with bacterial burden.

Technology readiness level

The core sensing methodology has been validated and published in peer-reviewed literature, demonstrating its ability to detect high-affinity iron transport compounds produced by ESKAPE pathogens. A second manuscript describing the full panel of 20 sensors and their characterization is currently in preparation. The next stage of development involves selecting or engineering sensors tailored to specific target organisms and sample types, optimizing assays for solid-phase formats, and conducting control and standardization experiments in clinical, commercial, and field settings. The technology is positioned for collaborative validation and pilot deployment with industry partners.