Did you know that your intestines are home to trillions of Escherichia coli bacteria, commonly known as E. coli? These microscopic organisms are usually our allies – they help with digestion and the production of certain vitamins. However, not all strains of E. coli are friendly. Some can cause serious infections, especially in the urinary tract, where they absolutely should not be.
It is with the aim of quickly detecting these unwanted bacteria that a team of scientists from the Gdansk University of Technology, led by Professor Jack Ryle, together with a German team from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, are embarking on a fascinating project. Their goal? To create an innovative diagnostic test that can be… printable.
What sets this project apart is its revolutionary approach to the production of diagnostic tests. Instead of traditional, expensive materials such as gold or palladium, the researchers are relying on carbon materials that can be manufactured using 3D printers. Imagine a future in which a clinic or even a pharmacy will be able to print the tests needed on site.
At the heart of the new test will be electrodes made of carbon materials, manufactured in two ways. The first uses special conductive nanotubes, while the second uses laser-generated graphene on a paper or polymer substrate. The final product is expected to resemble the size and form of the sugar strips we are familiar with [1].
International cooperation for health
The project is the result of a Polish-German collaboration, funded with more than PLN 3 million. Researchers from Gdansk will develop the printing technique and modify the substrate, while their German colleagues will contribute their expertise in nanolithography and nanoscale printing.
Early detection of E. coli bacteria in the urinary tract can protect us from serious complications. Current tests often give false-positive or negative results, making correct diagnosis difficult. It is expected that the new platform will not only be more accurate, but also cheaper and more accessible.
This project shows how cutting-edge technologies – 3D printing, nanotechnology and electrochemistry – are coming together to create a tool that could revolutionise medical diagnostics. Who knows, maybe in a few years the diagnosis of an infection will be as simple as printing out a document?
Bibliography:[1] Gdansk University of Technology, Platform detects E. coli bacteria. New Polish-German project by scientists https://pg.edu.pl/aktualnosci/2024-12/platforma-ktora-wykryje-bakterie-e-coli-nowy-polsko-niemiecki-projekt-naukowcow
