MOF-Bacteriophage Biosensor for Highly Sensitive and Specific Detection of Staphylococcus aureus

To produce a sensitive and specific biosensor for Staphylococcus aureus, bacteriophages have been interfaced with a water-dispersible and environmentally stable metal-organic framework (MOF), NH2-MIL-53(Fe). The conjugation of the MOF with bacteriophages has been achieved through the use of glutaraldehyde as cross-linker. Highly sensitive detection of S. aureus in both synthetic and real samples was realized by the proposed MOF-bacteriophage' biosensor based on the photoluminescence quenching phenomena; limit of detection (31 CFU/mL) and range of detection (40 to 4 X 10(8) CFU/mL). This is the first report exploiting the use of an MOF-bacteriophage complex for the biosensing of S. aureus. The results of our study highlight that-the proposed biosensor is more sensitive than most of the previous methods while exhibiting some advanced features like specificity) regenerability, extended range of linear 'detection, and stability for long-term storage (even at room temperature).