Electronic detection-based microarrays

Roy, E., Stewart, G., Mounier, M., Malic, L., Peytavi, R., Clime, L., Madou, M., Bossinot, M., Bergeron, M.G., Veres, T., 2015. From cellular lysis to microarray detection, an integrated thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) point of care lab on a disc. Lab on a Chip 15 (2), 406—416. Safina, G., Ludwig, R., Gorton, L., 2010. A simple and sensitive method for lactose detection based on direct electron transfer between immobilised ceUobiose dehydrogenase and screen-printed carbon electrodes. Electrochimica Acta 55 (26), 7690-7695. 

The barcodes have been primarily used to assure brand and authenticity in pharmaceuticals, but applications could be forthcoming in tracing food batches. Combined with pathogen sensors, the barcodes that must be read by modified microscopes could trace sources of outbreak. There are antibacterial surfaces for the machines involved in food processing or production. With the conventional methods of detection it takes hours to days. With molecular electronic based methods, biosensors, e-nose, microarrays, nanobiosensors (based on microfluidic, nanomaterials, DNA, etc.) it takes seconds to minutes. A biosensor developed by an Agricultural Research Service scientist, Athens, uses fluorescent dye particles attached to bacteria antibodies. If Salmonella bacteria are present in the food being tested, the nanoculturing results with these two examples of instantaneous sensors, sized dye particles become visible. No need to send out to the lab and wait days for results. 

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