Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is a global health challenge with a projected fallout of 10 million deaths annually and cumulative costs of over 1 trillion dollars by 2050. The currently available tools exploited in the detection of bacteria or their DNA can be expensive, time inefficient, or lack multiplex capabilities among others. The research work highlighted in this dissertation advances techniques employed in the phenotypic or genotypic detection of bacteria and their DNA. In this dissertation, I present polymethyl methacrylate-pressure sensitive adhesive microfluidic platforms developed using a time-efficient, inexpensive fabrication technique. Microfluidic devices were then equipped with functionalized monoliths and utilized for sequence-specific capture and detection of picomolar concentrations of bacterial plasmid DNA harvested from cultured bacteria. I then showed multiplex detection of multiple bacteria gene targets in these devices with an improved monolith column. Finally, I demonstrated a genotypic approach to studying single bacteria growth in water-in-oil droplets with nanomolar concentrations of a fluorescence reporter, and detection via laser-induced fluorescence after convenient room temperature 2-h incubation conditions. The systems and methods described herein show potential to advance tools needed to address the surging problems and effects of drug-resistant bacteria.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Chemistry and Biochemistry

Rights

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