Project Number: 1935-42000-058-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2006
End Date: Aug 31, 2008

Objective:
The goal of the proposed project is to develop an optical biosensor, based on innovative nanoparticle bioseparator and quantum dots biolabels, for detection of L. monocytogenes in food products including poultry, meat and vegetables. It is expected that the proposed biosensor will be able to detect one cell of viable L. monocytogenes in food samples in less than two hours.

Approach:
1. Develop a novel nanoparticle bioseparator by coupling magnetic nanoparticles with anti-Listeria antibodies for high-efficiency separation of target pathogens from food matrix. 2. Develop novel nanoparticle biolabels by coupling semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) with anti-L. monocytogenes antibodies for very sensitive labeling of target pathogens with fluorescence. 3. Integrating the nanoparticle bioseparator, QDs biolabels, and fluorescent detector into a biosensing system for rapid screening of L. monocytogenes in foods.