Detecting harmful bacteria in liquids is no longer confined to laboratories, thanks to a groundbreaking hands-free test developed by researchers at McMaster University. This innovative technology uses a simple color change to signal contamination, making it accessible to everyone, even those without specialized lab training.

At the heart of this test are bacteriophages, viruses that specifically target and destroy bacteria. Embedded in a biogel, these phages seek out harmful bacteria in fluids such as lake water, milk, or urine. Upon encountering their target, the phages break open the bacteria and release intracellular materials that trigger a visible color change in the gel. If the sample is bacteria-free, the color remains unchanged.

Carlos Filipe, professor of chemical engineering and one of the study's senior authors, points out that phages can be programmed to enter only the target biological door despite their capability to knock on every single biological door. This precision allows for accurate detection of bacteria like E. coli, Listeria, and salmonella, even at very low concentrations.

The new test, featured in the journal Advanced Materials, has several advantages over traditional lab methods, which often require specialized equipment and can take up to two days to produce results. With this test, users can obtain results within hours, making it ideal for applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics. 

Zeinab Hosseinidoust, an associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering and Canada Research Chair in Bacteriophage Bioengineering, explains:

"Because phages can burst bacteria open, they can give us quick access to the biological components of those bacteria that we use to confirm their presence."

Validated through testing, the researchers demonstrated the method's accuracy using urine samples from patients at Hamilton Health Sciences and lake water samples containing E. coli. The results fo each case matched those of traditional lab tests.

While the test focuses on detecting bacteria like E. coli and Listeria, it can be adapted to target a variety of bacteria by incorporating specific phages and DNA probes. The team envisions a future where this test is widely available to producers, retailers, consumers, and healthcare providers.

Once commercialized, this innovation could transform bacterial detection, providing a simple, rapid, and reliable alternative to traditional methods.

Read the full article here to discover more about the new test and its real-world benefits.

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