Detection of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Using Toehold Switches
Decades of overuse of antibiotics, the high plasticity of the genome, and the adaptation of bacteria to the selective pressure exerted by these molecules, there is a perpetual genetic exchange between the three major resistance gene pools in the environment, animals, and humans. These reasons have led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). ARGs are emerging environmental pollutants that can enter pathogenic bacteria through horizontal gene transfer and other ways and endow the host with antibiotic resistance, thus seriously threatening human health. Currently, ARGs have become a major problem in human and animal health. To control the spread of ARGs, their detection is necessary.
Conventional Testing Methods
The diversity and complexity of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment make it extremely difficult to comprehensively and systematically detect and analyze them quantitatively and qualitatively. High-throughput quantitative PCR and metagenomic methods are the two most commonly used qualitative and quantitative detection methods for antibiotic resistance genes. However, qPCR methods have shortcomings such as amplification preference and primer preference; metagenomic methods have the disadvantages of being time-consuming and high cost. Higher throughput, faster and more accurate antibiotic resistance gene detection methods are in urgent need of development.
Toehold Switches in Antibiotic Resistance Genes Detection
Toehold switches, as an emerging class of engineered RNA elements, have been widely used in biosynthesis. Because it can be triggered in the presence of target RNA, open the clip structure and allow the synthesis of reporter proteins, it has been used by many experts in the construction of gene circuits to develop biosensors for detecting various bacteria and viruses. Recently, some research groups have also applied toehold switches in cell-free gene circuits and combined them with electrochemical interfaces to develop sensors for ARGs. As a biotechnology company with toehold switches technology platform, CD BioSciences can provide you with toehold switches-based biosensor development services and detection services for antibiotic resistance genes.
The Development Services We Can Provide Based on Toehold Switches
Currently, antibiotic resistance is a major global public health problem, posing a huge hidden danger to human health. To conduct a comprehensive survey of ARGs and obtain more comprehensive information on the composition of ARGs in the environment, CD BioSciences provides biosensors development service for the detection of ARGs based on toehold switches for researchers engaged in biosafety and antibiotic resistance gene research. The type of biosensor development we currently mainly offer is as follows.
Our Testing Services Based on the Toehold Switches Platform
Based on our rich experience and professional knowledge, we can also provide ARGs detection service based on toehold switches for those engaged in antibiotic resistance gene research, providing them with valuable reference data, enabling them to monitor more scientifically and efficiently, and assessing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Advantages of Toehold Switches in ARGs Detection
- It cannot be restricted by the cell system and is more stable and safer.
- Low cost and the sensing element in the sensor are suitable for any sensor application.
- Detection methods based on toehold switches are scalable and sequence-specific.
- Multiplexed electrode interfaces enable high-throughput and automated detection.
CD BioSciences can rely on the established toehold switches technology platform to provide you with safer, more efficient, and more accurate biosensor development service and ARGs detection service based on toehold switches. If you are interested in the application of toehold switches in ARGs detection, please feel free to contact us.
Reference
- Sadat Mousavi, P.; et al. A multiplexed, electrochemical interface for gene-circuit-based sensors. Nat Chem. 2020, 12(1): 48-55.