This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's Integrative Activities (IA) program provides $275,000 to Clemson University to develop a flexible, tunable voltammetric sensor that can rapidly detect and quantify virulence signals from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The goal is to enable faster determination of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which annually lead to more than 35,000 deaths in the U.S. despite widespread antibiotic availability. The research focuses on measuring quorum sensing molecules associated with biofilm development, which is a key mechanism of antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa and other pathogens. The project aims to produce three key scientific contributions: 1) a quantifiable relationship between bacterial concentration, quorum sensing molecules, and biofilm stage, 2) a flexible biosensor design suitable for wearable or wound dressing applications, and 3) improved aptasensor functionalization to enhance sensitivity and specificity. This award, effective May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2029, aligns with the IA program's goals of enhancing U.S. research competitiveness and building critical infrastructure for STEM fields.
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