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A magneto-DNA nanoparticle system for rapid detection and phenotyping of bacteria

Nature Nanotechnology volume 8, pages 369–375 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

So far, although various diagnostic approaches for pathogen detection have been proposed, most are too expensive, lengthy or limited in specificity for clinical use. Nanoparticle systems with unique material properties, however, circumvent these problems and offer improved accuracy over current methods. Here, we present novel magneto-DNA probes capable of rapid and specific profiling of pathogens directly in clinical samples. A nanoparticle hybridization assay, involving ubiquitous and specific probes that target bacterial 16S rRNAs, was designed to detect amplified target DNAs using a miniaturized NMR device. Ultimately, the magneto-DNA platform will allow both universal and specific detection of various clinically relevant bacterial species, with sensitivity down to single bacteria. Furthermore, the assay is robust and rapid, simultaneously diagnosing a panel of 13 bacterial species in clinical specimens within 2 h. The generic platform described could be used to rapidly identify and phenotype pathogens for a variety of applications.

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Figure 1: Magneto-DNA assay for the detection of bacterial 16S rRNA.
Figure 2: Detection sensitivity of the magneto-DNA system.
Figure 3: Universal detection of bacteria using the magneto-DNA system.
Figure 4: Differential detection using the magneto-DNA system.
Figure 5: Diagnosis of clinical samples.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Y. Fisher-Jeffes for reviewing the manuscript, N. Sergeyev for synthesis of MNPs, S. Chen and M. Mckee for help with electron microscopy, C. Min for help with the µNMR device, and J. Chung, K.S. Yang, J. Carlson, H. Shao and A.V. Ullal for assistance and many helpful discussions. The work was funded in part by National Institute of Health (grants R01EB004626, R01EB010011, HHSN268201000044C and R01HL113156).

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Author notes

  1. Cesar M. Castro and Hyungsoon Im: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 5206, Boston, 02114, Massachusetts, USA

    Hyun Jung Chung, Cesar M. Castro, Hyungsoon Im, Hakho Lee & Ralph Weissleder

  2. Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Ralph Weissleder

  3. Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02114, Massachusetts, USA

    Cesar M. Castro & Ralph Weissleder

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  1. Hyun Jung Chung
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Contributions

H.J.C. designed and performed the research, and co-wrote the manuscript. R.W. and H.L. designed the research and wrote the manuscript. R.W. provided overall guidance. H.L. reviewed the magnetic resonance measurement data. C.M.C. provided guidance and assistance regarding the clinical studies. H.I. performed scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hakho Lee or Ralph Weissleder.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Chung, H., Castro, C., Im, H. et al. A magneto-DNA nanoparticle system for rapid detection and phenotyping of bacteria. Nature Nanotech 8, 369–375 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2013.70

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