Biosensor Detection Device for Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A & F

When spores that come from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum are no longer exposed to
oxygen, they grow and excrete toxins known as Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), which are
highly potent and associated with foodborne botulism. They are considered to be the deadliest toxins known to humans, with the potential to kill thousands worldwide annually. Due to its role
as a bioterrorism agent, effective detection is crucial for public safety. Presently, standard BoNT
diagnosis is being carried out via mouse assay, which uses differential analysis on live mice and monitors them for 4 days to verify if they are contaminated with the toxin. This is not a viable method, seeing as Botulism can kill a person within just a few days of contraction. There are 7
types of BoNTs (A-G), with four of the types (A, B, E, and F) having the ability to affect humans. This project aims to develop a quick, highly specific, non-invasive, ethical, and cost-effective methodology to detect BoNT/F. Building upon an established protocol for detecting BoNT/A, we use quantum dots in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channels. The three-day process involves multiple incubations in microfluidic channels, with sequential washes and the coordinated addition of PEG-silane maleimide, peptides, HEPES buffer, and quantum dots. After
the channels have gone through their final incubation, they undergo fluorescence analysis to
determine if the BoNT Light Chain (Lc) is present.