Real-time tracking of fluorescent magnetic spore–based microrobots for remote detection of C. diff toxins

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau9650
• Publication Date: 2019-01-12T00:19:34Z
• Authors: Yabin Zhang; Lin Zhang; Lidong Yang; Chi Ian Vong; Kai Fung Chan; William K. K. Wu; Thomas N. Y. Kwong; Norman W. S. Lo; Margaret Ip; Sunny H. Wong; Joseph J. Y. Sung; Philip W. Y. Chiu; Li Zhang
• Keywords: Nanorobotics; Nanodot

A rapid, direct, and low-cost method for detecting bacterial toxins associated with common gastrointestinal diseases remains a great challenge despite numerous studies clinical assays. Motion-based detection through tracking the emerging micro- nanorobots has shown potential in chemo- biosensing due to accelerated "chemistry on move". Here, we described use of fluorescent magnetic spore-based microrobots (FMSMs) as highly efficient mobile sensing platform secreted by Clostridium difficile (C. diff) that were present patients' stool. These synthesized rapidly inexpensively direct deposition nanoparticles subsequent encapsulation probes porous natural spores. Because cooperation effect spore, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, functionalized carbon nanodots, selective fluorescence prepared FMSMs is demonstrated C. diff supernatant even actual stool samples from infectious patients within tens minutes, suggesting rapid response good selectivity sensitivity toward toxins.