Hakami Studying Efficient & Sensitive Methods for Detection Of Bacteria & Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) In Various Samples

Ramin Hakami, Associate Professor, School of Systems Biology and Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), is conducting research to test the efficiency and sensitivity of an immunodetection method for analyzing the presence of bacteria and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in various samples, including food samples.  

For this study, Hakami will separately conjugate two well-established polyclonal anti-E. coli antibodies to magnetic beads and test them for both efficiency and sensitivity of E. coli or OMV detection after verification of antibody conjugation. For this purpose, first serial dilutions of liquid cultures of E. coli will be tested with the antibody‐coupled beads.  

As part of this analysis, Hakami will test both live cultures of bacteria and heat‐treated bacterial cultures in order to test the ability of this method for determination of viability when coupled with well‐established bacterial viability assays. He will also test bacteria recovered from processed contaminated food samples with the antibody‐coupled beads, and will again test the efficiency and sensitivity of E. coli or OMV detection by the beads. 

"This project will enable development of novel rapid detection methods that are urgently needed for identification of bacterial pathogens in various samples, including food samples. It will also provide a foundation for further studies into the biogenesis of outer membrane vesicle (OMV) under various naturally occurring conditions," Hakami said. 

 Hakami received $25,000 from Intellifoods Labs, LLC for this research. Funding began in April 2022 and will end in late March 2023.