🎓Entwicklung eines Aptamer-basierten Sensorsystems unter Einsatz von Nanopartikeln zur Detektion Wasser-assoziierter Erreger

The aim of LUISE FRIEDEMANN’s PhD project is to develop a novel biosensor for the rapid and reliable detection of pathogenic microorganisms in water. Existing detection methods often take several days and require complex laboratory equipment, which makes it difficult to assess risks in a timely manner, particularly in resource-poor regions. The planned sensor is based on so-called ‘clickmers’ – specially chemically modified aptamers. These artificially produced molecules act in a similar way to antibodies, but can be produced in a targeted, cost-effective manner without the use of animal testing. They recognise and bind specifically to typical surface features of bacteria. This specific binding can, for example, be converted into a measurable, visible signal using fluorescent dyes and magnetic nanoparticles, enabling rapid and straightforward analysis. This is intended to facilitate rapid point-of-care analysis. In the long term, the technology could not only improve drinking water safety but also be used for medical diagnostics or the detection of dangerous pathogens in other samples. The overall project is being carried out with various cooperation partners as part of the ERDF project “AQUASENSE” (ERDF-20800817).