10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Use of GREATpa System for Online Detection of Airborne Endotoxin
HAOXUAN CHEN, Maosheng Yao, Peking University
Abstract Number: 639 Working Group: Bioaerosols
Abstract Endotoxins, lipopolysaccharide components (LPS) of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, are ubiquitous in ambient particulate matter and indoor environment. Exposure to airborne endotoxins was found to be associated with the development of asthma, bronchitis, organic dust toxic syndrome, and impaired lung function. However, current endotoxin analysis is performed mostly offline using the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay after the air sampling process. Therefore, endotoxin dynamics in the air cannot be tracked in real-time. Here, we developed a system (GRERATpa) that allows us to real-time monitor the airborne endotoxins. The system is composed of a high-concentrating air sampling, microfluidics, and silicon nanowire field effect transistor (SiNW FET) sensor. Before performing the experiments, the SiNW was activated and functionalized by binding anti-endotoxin antibody to the surface of nanowires via a two-step procedure. The conductance level of the SINW changes upon the binding of endotoxin to the anti-endotoxin antibody. When detecting endotoxin, the concentration level of endotoxin can be calculated using the conductance levels of the nanowire. The GREATpa system was further calibrated by using endotoxin standards and then used for the detection of endotoxin in the air in real-time. The relevant experiments are currently being conducted, but the preliminary data showed the system is working. The demonstrated technology here pioneers a new method for studying airborne endotoxins, thus providing on-line analysis of endotoxin related health risks.