New, easy to use, low-cost technologies based on DNA origami biosensing to achieve distributed screening for AMR and improved antibiotic prescribing
( Origami Sense )

Detecting whole pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes is crucial to diagnose, monitor and treat drug-resistant infections. Electrochemical approaches are attractive because they lend themselves to high volume manufacture, low cost, multiplex measurements, high analytical sensitivity, low complexity instrumentation and connectedness. DNA origami is an extremely promising material for functionalisation of electrode surfaces as it allows precise spatial and functional control when designing and immobilising nanostructured materials, can provide signal amplification, is compatible with well-established surface modification chemistries and highly scalable. In addition, DNA origami has advantages which overcome drawbacks with traditional SAM-based sensors which are known to suffer from poor reproducibility and inability to be sufficiently stabilised for long term storage. The consortium has demonstrated the potential of DNA origami, AC impedance-based techniques and quartz nanopores for enhanced biosensing, with a view to developing next-generation low-cost diagnostic technologies. In this project, new DNA origami structures designed to detect biological markers of high relevance to AMR (whole pathogens & nucleic acid sequences) will be developed and exemplified via impedance and nanopore sensing, giving significant progress in AMR diagnosis and monitoring. This innovative research programme will be complemented with an effort on translation and IP exploitation to ensure the project reaches maximum impact by setting the developed technologies on a pathway to adoption.