Hierarchical Cluster Analysis of Medical Chemicals Detected by a Bacteriophage-Based Colorimetric Sensor Array

Abstract

M13 bacteriophage-based colorimetric sensors, especially multi-array sensors, have been successfully demonstrated to be a powerful platform for detecting extremely small amounts of target molecules. Colorimetric sensors can be fabricated easily using self-assembly of genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage which incorporates peptide libraries on its surface. However, the ability to discriminate many types of target molecules is still required. In this work, we introduce a statistical method to efficiently analyze a huge amount of numerical results in order to classify various types of target molecules. To enhance the selectivity of M13 bacteriophage-based colorimetric sensors, a multi-array sensor system can be an appropriate platform. On this basis, a pattern-recognizing multi-array biosensor platform was fabricated by integrating three types of sensors in which genetically engineered M13 bacteriophages (wild-, RGD-, and EEEE-type) were utilized as a primary building block. This sensor system was used to analyze a pattern of color change caused by a reaction between the sensor array and external substances, followed by separating the specific target substances by means of hierarchical cluster analysis. The biosensor platform could detect drug contaminants such as hormone drugs (estrogen) and antibiotics. We expect that the proposed biosensor system could be used for the development of a first-analysis kit, which would be inexpensive and easy to supply and could be applied in monitoring the environment and health care.

Phage-Based Sensors in Medicine: A Review

“…A self-assembling M13 bacteriophage structure was intensively investigated both in technical and medical applications, which was greatly reviewed by Moon et al [90]. Here, we would like to highlight sensing devices based on phage self-assembled structures that were examined to be potential diagnostics tools for varied (including medical) applications [91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98].…”

Application of Bacteriophages in Nanotechnology

“…Some phages are also indicators of recreational water quality or even fecal indicators. Very recently, Kim et al [ 152 ] showed the utilization of bacteriophage-based colorimetric sensors for the detection of medical chemicals. Three variants of the M13 phage were used: wt , and two others that displayed specific peptides which changed the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of virions, respectively.…”

Collaborative Filtering to Predict Sensor Array Values in Large IoT Networks

“…Another e-nose array of sensors experience has been designed to detect ammonia concentration in breath by means of a conductometric array of eleven different polyaniline nanocomposite sensors [3]; authors have chosen the sensor array approach due to the drift and sensitivity to humidity sensor weakness. An array of colorimetric sensors has been used for detecting extremely small amounts of target molecules [4], so that it analyzes a pattern of color change caused by a reaction between the sensor array and external substances. The biosensor array could detect hormone drugs (estrogen) and antibiotics.…”