Exploration of nanoparticle-sized immunobeads for isolation and quantitative detection of human pathogenic free-living amoebae in complex water systems.

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widespread in nature where they have an essential role in the aquatic ecosystems. Several FLA however have been reported as being causative agents of serious and even fatal diseases in humans and animals. Also, FLA commonly serve as hosts for the m ultiplication and dispersal of (human) pathogenic bacteria and viruses and are thereforeconsidered to be important vectors in disease transmission. Despite the progress that has been made in designing innovative detection systems to identify and quantify the presence of FLA water sy stems, use of these methods is limited to relatively 'clean' water samples. In this project, we want to use the complementary expertise of 4 research groups to design and validate an innovative immunomagnetic se paration (IMS) strategy in order to develop a reliable method for FLA detection and quantification in complex water samples. Our research s trategy is based upon the combination of rationally synthesized superparamagnetic nanoparticles coupled with tailor-made monoclonal antibodies/antibody fragments. In the proposed project, we specifically want to address the limitations of the current state-of-the-art IMS technology.

Keywords:Bacteria, Legionella, Monoclonal antibodies, Paramagnetic, Free-living amoebae, Immunobeads, Nanoparticles

Disciplines:Analytical chemistry, Macromolecular and materials chemistry, Geology, Aquatic sciences, challenges and pollution, Biomaterials engineering, Biological system engineering, Biomechanical engineering, Other (bio)medical engineering, Environmental engineering and biotechnology, Industrial biotechnology, Other biotechnology, bio-engineering and biosystem engineering