(429b) (Invited Plenary Talk): Electrochemical Sensors for Multiplexed Infection Detection and Monitoring

Bacterial cells secrete hundreds of different molecules as part of their natural processes. These molecules range from quorum sensing molecules or pheromones for communication, to siderophores as nutrient scavengers, to virulence factors that attack intruders. The ability to quantitatively measure the concentrations of these molecules is important for both research and clinical applications. This talk will describe electrochemical sensors that are being developed and used for diagnosing infection and monitoring bacterial physiology. The sensors utilize voltammetry to measure interactions of redox-active molecules with electrode surfaces as a signal transduction mechanism to track binding of target molecules with recognition elements. The method works directly in biological fluids, allowing ex vivo measurements to be easily performed.