A novel new test for bacteria in fluids makes it as easy as observing a colour change to confirm the presence of disease-causing pathogens, promising much easier diagnostic tests and greater food safety.
Engineers and biochemists at McMaster university have brought their skills together to make it possible for untrained users to confirm contamination in fluids using a biogel test that changes colour in the presence of such bacteria as E. coli, listeria and other frequent testing targets.
The test uses harmless bacteriophages embedded in the gel to locate target bacteria in a sample of fluid such as lake water, urine or a container of milk, even in low concentrations.
Bacteriophages are the most common form of life on Earth. Each form of bacteriophage is specialized to destroy one form of bacteria.
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