title: Microwave-accelerated metal-enhanced fluorescence: application to detection of genomic and exosporium anthrax DNA in <30 seconds.
abstract: We describe the ultra-fast and sensitive detection of the gene encoding the protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis the causative agent of anthrax. Our approach employs a highly novel platform technology, Microwave-Accelerated Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MAMEF), which combines the use of Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence to enhance assay sensitivity and focused microwave heating to spatially and kinetically accelerate DNA hybridization. Genomic and exosporium target DNA of Bacillus anthracis spores was detected within a minute in the nanograms per microliter concentration range using low-power focused microwave heating. The MAMEF technology was able to distinguish between B. anthracis and B. cereus, a non-virulent close relative. We believe that this study has set the stage and indeed provides an opportunity for the ultra-fast and specific detection of B. anthracis spores with minimal pre-processing steps using a relatively simple but cost-effective technology that could minimize casualties in the event of another anthrax attack.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fluorescence, Laboratory for Advanced Medical Plasmonics, Medical Biotechnology Center, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.forename: Yongxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hibbs
authors.forename: Les
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.forename: Michael J R
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Previte
authors.forename: Chris D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Geddes
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000235:genetics*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000235:genetics; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016678:Genome; D008872:Microwaves; D049329:Nanostructures; D012834:Silver; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012834:Silver