The food safety rapid detection team at the College of Food Science & Technology of Huazhong Agricultural University made waves in the scientific community by unveiling their latest breakthrough in the prestigious journal Nature Food.
The team's research paper, titled "Multiplexed food-borne pathogen detection using an argonaute-mediated digital sensor based on a magnetic-bead-assisted imaging transcoding system", marks a significant milestone in the realm of food safety technology.
This study introduces a revolutionary digital nucleic acid detection method that eliminates the need for DNA amplification, enabling the simultaneous and highly sensitive detection of three food-borne pathogens. At the heart of the innovation lies the digital nucleic acid detection platform, d-MAGIC, empowered by a thermostable CbAgo, which facilitates the multiplexed nucleic acid detection of three food-borne pathogens.
A scheme of the Ago-protein-mediated digital nucleic acid biosensor based on a programmable MB-assisted imaging transcoding system. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
Moreover, in the quest for accuracy, the team developed the "Panda" AI algorithm platform to decode the status of magnetic beads with unparalleled precision. This platform not only categorizes, scores, and counts the magnetic beads but also ensures the integrity and stability of the data retrieved, enhancing the reliability of the entire detection process.
The development of this programmable detection platform represents a significant leap forward in the digital detection of single and multiplexed food-borne pathogens under ambient conditions. The platform exhibits remarkable sensitivity, detecting bacterial DNA at concentrations as low as 10 CFU ml−1 without amplification.
With the potential to expand into clinical nucleic acid detection and integrate with portable devices for real-time applications, this platform holds promise for various industries related to public health and safety.