An innovative polymer sensor to detect bacteria

15-Mar-07

A technology that will benefit healthcare industry, will use a polymer which will give a fluorescent signal when it encounters bacteria, allowing scientists to easily identify infected wounds much earlier than using conventional methodologies. Researchers from the University of Sheffield have received joint funding from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop an innovative sensor to detect bacteria. By combining polymers, which change shape when they encounter bacteria, and developing a light signal through fluorescence non radiative energy transfer (NRET), the researchers will be able to detect early stage bacterial contamination, which currently takes several days and procedures. Identifying bacterial infection currently takes several days and requires swabbing and culturing of bacterial swabs as well as the use of specialist bacteriology laboratory facilities..