title: [Integrated optical sensor for rapid analysis of biological samples].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the medical diagnostics of bacteria, the rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms from body fluids is one of the most important tasks. The majority of the modern measuring techniques are based on specific labels bound to the bacteria. However, this strategy usually assumes a rather time-consuming procedure involving several steps (e.g., the widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay normally consists of 5 consecutive steps). Hence, there is an urgent need for the elaboration of rapid, "label-free" techniques, that are often based on Lab-on-a-chip devices.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this paper, the authors report on the development of a biosensor based on a miniature, integrated optical Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Functionalization of the measuring arm of the sensor by antibodies, made the rapid and specific label-free detection of pathogens feasible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the combination of the interferometer with a microfluidic system, the device was able to detect Escherichia coli bacteria at concentrations as low as 10(6) colony forming unit/ml within minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This makes the newly developed biosensor a promising device for a wide range of applications, not only in medical microbiology, but microbial forensics, criminal investigations, bio-terrorism threats and in environmental studies as well.
authors.affiliation: Biofizikai Intézet, MTA Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont Szeged, Pf. 521., 6720.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathesz
authors.affiliation: Biofizikai Intézet, MTA Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont Szeged, Pf. 521., 6720.
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valkai
authors.affiliation: Biofizikai Intézet, MTA Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont Szeged, Pf. 521., 6720.
authors.forename: Orsolya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sipos
authors.affiliation: Orvosi Mikrobiológiai Tanszék, Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Budapest.
authors.forename: Balázs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stercz
authors.affiliation: Orvosi Mikrobiológiai Tanszék, Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Budapest.
authors.forename: Béla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kocsis
authors.affiliation: Orvosi Mikrobiológiai Tanszék, Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Budapest.
authors.forename: Dóra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Szabó
authors.affiliation: Biofizikai Intézet, MTA Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont Szeged, Pf. 521., 6720.
authors.forename: András
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dér
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
keywords: betegágy melletti mérőrendszerek; biosensing technics; bioszenzor-technikák; optical devices; optikai eszközök; point-of-care systems