(273a) Commercialization of Aptamer-Based Electrochemical Sensors

QSM Diagnostics is in the process of commercializing electrochemical sensor technology developed by the Goluch Group at Northeastern University. The initial application of the technology is for rapidly diagnosing and monitoring bacterial infections in companion animals. This is accomplished by detecting quorum sensing molecules (QSMs) that are present in specimens collected from the animals. The platform technology, however, can be adapted to almost any target molecule of interest by simply exchanging the recognition element that is attached to the sensor. The QSM sensing platform uses aptamers as recognition elements in conjunction with square wave voltammetry. Theoretically, any properly developed aptamer can be integrated to create a custom rapid, quantitative, testing system.

As an example of this turn-key solution capability, we have now demonstrated the detection of moxifloxacin, a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic, in human serum samples. This presentation will describe the process by which the new sensor was developed and tested as well as the challenges associated with the development process.