Issue 6, 2021

A biocompatible dual-AIEgen system without spectral overlap for quantitation of microbial viability and monitoring of biofilm formation

Abstract

The lack of rapid and reliable microbial detection and sensing platforms and insufficient understanding of microbial behavior may delay precautions that could be made, which is a great threat to human life and increases the heavy financial burden on society. In this contribution, a dual-aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) system is successfully developed for microbial imaging and metabolic status sensing. This system consists of two AIEgens (DCQA and TPE-2BA) that bear positively charged groups or boronic acid groups, providing universal microbial staining ability and specific affinity for dead microbes, respectively. Based on the distinctive fluorescence response produced by the diverse interaction of AIEgens with live or dead microbes, this dual-AIEgen system can detect all the microbes and identify their viabilities. Furthermore, the morphology and metabolic status of a sessile biofilm can also be imaged and monitored. The system exhibits rapid labelling properties that suitable for various microbes, and good biocompatibilities.

Graphical abstract: A biocompatible dual-AIEgen system without spectral overlap for quantitation of microbial viability and monitoring of biofilm formation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
27 Jan 2021
Accepted
08 Apr 2021
First published
10 Apr 2021

Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 1816-1824

A biocompatible dual-AIEgen system without spectral overlap for quantitation of microbial viability and monitoring of biofilm formation

W. He, Z. Zheng, H. Bai, L. Xiong, L. Wang, Y. Li, R. T. K. Kwok, J. W. Y. Lam, Q. Hu, J. Cheng and B. Z. Tang, Mater. Horiz., 2021, 8, 1816 DOI: 10.1039/D1MH00149C

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