News is Coming: The MIT 1000 method will bring success.
Studies show that faster pathogen identification is positively correlated with improved patient outcomes, so developing a method for rapid S. aureus identification is necessary for successful patient recovery. My thesis project is focused on developing a rapid technique that can specifically isolate and identify S. aureus from swab samples. This technique will be performed by using the combination of ImmunoMagnetic separation (IMS) and laser light scattering technology developed by Micro Identification Technologies (MIT). IMS will be utilized for rapid S. aureus capture and light scattering technology will be used to rapidly identify. In order to rapidly isolate S. aureus, magnetic beads will be bound to S. aureus specific antibodies. The beads and antibodies can be added to a patient’s swab sample where they will bind S. aureus cells. After S. aureus capture, the sample will be magnetically separated in order to isolate S. aureus from other cells present in the sample. After isolating the captured cells, an enrichment step is necessary in order to increase the number of S. aureus cells to a detectable concentration for laser light scattering analysis. The captured cells will then be tested using laser light scatting technology and identified as S. aureus. To summarize the rapid protocol for S. aureus capture, isolation, and identification: S. aureus capture- 1.5 hours
Enrichment: 1-3 hours Laser light scattering identification: 5 minutes The combination of these techniques could identify S. aureus in 3-6 hours as opposed to current culture based methods which take up to 24-48 hours. Developing a rapid method to accurately identify S. aureus, could potentially reduce the time to administer proper treatment. By identifying S. aureus in 3-6 hours, health care professionals could administer proper treatments faster to patients. Faster treatments could potentially decrease the length of hospital stay/costs, and decrease patient morbidity and mortality rates.
IMS will be utilized for rapid S. aureus capture and light scattering technology will be used to rapidly identify. In order to rapidly isolate S. aureus, magnetic beads will be bound to S. aureus specific antibodies. The beads and antibodies can be added to a patient’s swab sample where they will bind S. aureus cells. After S. aureus capture, the sample will be magnetically separated in order to isolate S. aureus from other cells present in the sample. After isolating the captured cells, an enrichment step is necessary in order to increase the number of S. aureus cells to a detectable concentration for laser light scattering analysis. The captured cells will then be tested using laser light scatting technology and identified as S. aureus. To summarize the rapid protocol for S. aureus capture, isolation, and identification: S. aureus capture- 1.5 hours.