title: Current molecular and emerging nanobiotechnology approaches for the detection of microbial pathogens.
abstract: Waterborne microbial diseases are escalating worldwide increasing the need for powerful and sensitive diagnostics tools. Molecular methodologies, including immunological and nucleic acid-based methods, have only recently been applied in the water sector. Advances in nanotechnology and nanomaterials have opened the door for the development of new diagnostic tools with increased sensitivity and speed, and reduced cost and labor. Quantum dots, flo dots, gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanowires, and nanocantilevers, with their unique optical and physical properties, have already been applied in nanodiagnostics. Nanobiotechnology, once remaining technical and practical problems has been addressed, will play an important role in the detection of microbial pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Theron
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eugene Cloete
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Kwaadsteniet
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D053758:Nanoparticles; D049329:Nanostructures; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D053770:Nanowires; D011634:Public Health; D045663:Quantum Dots; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon