Graphene electrochemical biosensors for sensitive broad-spectrum bacterial detection

Overview

NanoSpy offers a graphene-based electrochemical biosensor platform designed for highly sensitive, broad-spectrum detection of microorganisms. The technology enables detection, identification, and quantification of viable Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, endospores, and single-celled fungi such as yeast, with detection limits as low as 1 microorganism/mL. By selecting specific biorecognition agents—including antibodies, aptamers, enzymes, lectins, and blocking agents—the platform can be adapted to sense a wide range of pathogens. The technology is designed to be transferable to simple at-home testing formats analogous to pregnancy or glucose test kits, making it suitable for applications in food safety, clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and biosecurity.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Graphene-based electrochemical biosensor fabricated using economical nanostructured graphene and common printing techniques, enabling scalable and cost-effective production
• Customizable biorecognition through surface chemistries that bind antibodies, aptamers, enzymes, or lectins to the electrode while minimizing non-specific adsorption
• Broad-spectrum detection of Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, endospores, and yeast
• High sensitivity with validated detection limits of 1 CFU/mL for E. coli, 25–10^5 CFU/mL for Salmonella spp., and 48–10^4 CFU/mL for Listeria spp.
• Multiplexing capability allowing multiple biosensors with different biorecognition agents to be combined in a single experiment to detect mixed microorganism populations without false negatives or positives
• Rapid results in under 30 minutes with little to no sample preparation
• Complex media compatibility, validated in samples such as chicken and vegetable broth
• Quantitative linear range confirmed through comparison with traditional plate counting techniques
• Portable format potential adaptable to at-home or point-of-use test kit designs

Technology readiness level

The biosensor platform has undergone initial validation with demonstrated performance for Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and E. coli spp. detection across relevant concentration ranges. Future validation efforts focus on three objectives: (1) developing individual biosensors for each microorganism category by varying biorecognition probes, (2) validating binding specificity and quantitative linear range for each target microorganism, and (3) multiplexing individual biosensors to confirm reliable detection of microorganism mixtures without cross-reactivity. NanoSpy holds exclusive rights to patented and patent-pending technologies related to graphene-based biosensors, providing a strong intellectual property foundation for commercialization and partnership.