Toledo, OH | Posted on November 14th, 2007

Abstract:

Researchers in Ohio report the development of magnetic nanoparticles
that show promise for quickly detecting and eliminating E. coli,
anthrax, and other harmful bacteria. In laboratory studies, the
nanoparticles helped detect a strain of E. coli within five minutes
and removed 88 percent of the target bacteria, the scientists say.
Their study is scheduled for the Nov. 7 issue of the Journal of the
American Chemical Society, a weekly publication.

Magnetic nanoparticles detect and remove harmful bacteria:

Xuefei Huang and colleagues point out that ongoing incidents of
produce contamination and the threat of bioterrorist attacks have
created an urgent need for quicker, more effective ways to detect
bacterial decontamination. To meet that need, they developed a
"magnetic glyco-nanoparticle (MGNP)," a unique compound that combines
magnetic nanoparticles with sugars.

Sugars (or carbohydrates) on cell surfaces are used by many bacteria
to attach to their host cells in order to facilitate infection. The
scientists exposed a group of E. coli bacteria to the sugar-coated
nano-magnets to mark the microbes so they could be easily identified
and removed by a magnetic device. The researchers also used the
particles to distinguish between three different E. coli strains.

The study represents "the first time that magnetic nanoparticles have
been used to detect, quantify, and differentiate E. coli cells," the
researchers state.

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Science Inquiries: Michael Woods, editor
m_wo...@acs.org

General Inquiries: Michael Bernstein
m_bernst...@acs.org
202-872-4400

Xuefei Huang, Ph.D.
The University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio 43606
Phone: 419-530-1507
Fax: 419-530-4033
xuefei.hu...@utoledo.edu

http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=26336