Rapid field testing of field water samples for total coliform and E. coli using isothermal amplification and unique micro-sized particles for cell capture and concentration

iFyber LLC proposes to develop a coliform assay with differential detection of E. coli that will circumvent the current challenges with detecting these organisms at a level of 1 CFU/mL in less than 16 hours. The proposed assay targets a result in less than 6 hours by making use of novel microsphere reagents for capture and concentration of the target cells, and coupling these reagents with loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) of coliform and E. coli genetic markers with fluorescence detection. Microspheres will be used to concentrate the target cells by at least 1000 fold, where they will then be further enriched with growth medium, and their respective genetic reporters will be subsequently amplified through LAMP. This PhaseI effort will lay the foundation for this concept with a breadboard device, which will be refined in Phase II for commercial development.