Pathogen Detection Using Magnetoelastic Biosentinels

Abstract

Biosentinels, used to detect, signal, and capture pathogenic bacteria, are discussed. The biosentinel is based on magnetically soft magnetoelastic resonators coated with a selective and specific biorecognition layer. The biosentinels are actuated, monitored, and controlled wirelessly by external magnetic fields. The biosentinels mimic the function of naturally occurring biological defensive systems, such as white blood cells, seeking out and capturing pathogenic bacteria. After binding with the target pathogen, the mass of the biosentinel increases causing the resonant frequency to decrease, providing instantaneous detection of the pathogen. The biosentinels require no on-board power, harvesting electromagnetic energy from the surroundings for propulsion, navigation, and signaling the detection of target pathogens. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.