Portable enzyme-based pathogen detection system with AI quantification
A low-cost, portable system detects viable pathogens using enzyme-based viability assays and colorimetric readout. It integrates a hydrogel patch and AI mobile app for rapid quantification, providing accurate results in under 3 hours without specialized equipment.
Overview
The proposed solution is a portable, enzyme-based system designed to detect viable pathogens accurately. By utilizing a unique combination of a 3D-printed hydrogel patch and an AI-powered mobile app, this system offers a cost-effective and rapid means of identifying pathogenic presence. It specifically targets enzymes released by live pathogens, providing a clear colorimetric readout that distinguishes viable from non-viable organisms. This method ensures that only live pathogens are detected, minimizing false positives and enhancing the reliability of the results.
Technical specifications
- Enzyme-based viability detection: Utilizes enzymes such as β-galactosidase and peroxidase as markers of viability.
- 3D-printed hydrogel patch: Embedded with chromogenic substrates that react to pathogen-released enzymes, producing a color signal.
- AI-powered mobile app: Quantifies the color intensity to estimate viable pathogen load, translating it into user-friendly data.
- Detection capability: Validated with E. coli, capable of detecting pathogen loads as low as 10³ CFU/mL.
- Portable and easy-to-use: Designed for field deployment without the need for specialized laboratory equipment.
Technology readiness level
This pathogen detection system is at Technology Readiness Level 4, having been validated with model pathogens like E. coli. Future steps include customization for seed pathogen detection, validation with various seed types, and scale-up for manufacturing.
About Clarkson University
Clarkson University is a private, national research university with a STEM-oriented character and a multi-campus footprint anchored in Potsdam, New York. Companies engage through a state-designated Center for Advanced Technology in advanced materials that supports industry collaboration and access to applied expertise. A Capital Region campus and a Hudson Valley research site extend reach into New York’s technology and manufacturing corridors, while co-op and internship pathways align talent with corporate R&D needs. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from major U.S. agencies such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. A dedicated technology transfer office and the Shipley Center for Innovation provide IP support, incubation, and startup acceleration.
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