Quorum sensing (QS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of certain bacteria due to its involvement in virulence factors synthesis and formation of the biofilm, which is resistant to the immune system and to antibiotics. QS is a form of cell to cell communication between bacteria using substances called autoinducers, such as N-acyl derivatives of homoserine lactone (HSLs) or cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), the latter being involved in biofilm formation.
The main purpose of this project consists in facilitating the fast identification of nosocomial infections and their proper antibiotic treatment, by electrochemical detection of molecules involved in QS and biofilm formation from microbiological cultures and different biological samples.
The QUOREL-SENS project includes several goals: development of a global strategy for obtaining electrochemical biomimetic sensors capable of (1) selective and sensitive detection of QS in P. aeruginosa, (2) of the biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa, and of (3) simultaneous electrochemical evaluation of the concentration of QS molecules or biofilm formation and the concentration of different antibiotics.
The envisioned goals will be achieved by two different, interconnected strategies, with specific objectives: (1) modification of the electrodes with molecularly imprinted polymers (improving the selectivity) and with nanomaterials (improving the electrochemical properties and the sensitivity) for the detection of HSLs and of c-di-GMP produced by P. aeruginosa; (2) development of electrochemical aptasensors for the detection of HSLs and of c-di-GMP; (3) evaluation of the concentration of molecules involved in QS or biofilm formation in the presence of different antibiotics, their concentration being detected electrochemically before and after exposure to antibiotics; (4) complete characterization of the developed electrochemical sensors and their adaptation for real samples analysis.