Electrochemical bacteria sensor

PI: Richard Compton

Department: Chemistry

In April 2018 a major outbreak of E.coli poisoning in the USA involving romaine lettuce affected around 100 people in 22 states. Ten victims suffered kidney failure whilst around fifty were hospitalized. The applicant has recently developed a simple, sensitive and selective electrochemical method for detecting bacteria and for measuring their concentration. The method has been validated using E.coli as well as other bacteria. OUI have filed a patent on the invention and has publicized the scientific advance leading to significant interest from potential users who are attracted in particular by the much improved rapidity of the measurement in comparison with existing methodology. We wish to develop a working prototype hand-held device. This we intend to do in collaboration with a company who have an established development pathway. The larger picture is to engage with the potentially lucrative Medical and Healthcare industries.