Figure 1.

Comparison of the conventional culture method and the microchip based E. coli detection. (A) Conventional procedure for bacteria detection in clinical facilities. Blood sample collection. (1) Blood samples are incubated in an automated blood culture system. (2) Pathogen or bacteria grown on agar plate are subject to Gram-staining for differentiation between Gram-positive and negative strains. (3) The sample is sub-cultured into a nutrient-rich agar plate for the identification of the species and to determine the bacterial concentration. (B) POC testing approach for rapid detection. Blood sample collection (spiked with GFP-expressing E. coli BL21 stock as a model microorganism). (1) The blood sample is analyzed in microchannels functionalized with E. coli antibodies. E. coli were specifically captured by antibodies on the microchannel surface. (2) Unbound E. coli are washed away with PBS using a syringe micropump. (3) GFP-expressing E. coli are imaged/counted under a fluorescence microscope.

Abbreviations: E. coli, Escherichia coli; GFP, green fluorescent protein; LBP, lipopolysaccharide binding protein; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; POC, point-of-care.