Abstract

Optical Diagnostics for Bacterial Detection

Mark Bradley, Professor of Therapeutic Innovation, Precision Healthcare University Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London

Over the past decade, we have designed and developed an entire palette of molecules containing targeting moieties (that specifically bind to Gram+ bacteria, Gram- bacteria and fungi) conjugated to a range of fluorophores to enable prompt and precise diagnosis of clinically relevant pathogens. I will describe these probes and explain how they have been used in a number of human systems including in vivo (in the human lung) and in eye and urinary tract infections. I will also describe a range of molecules that allow the binding and detection of bacterial infections and their subsequent elimination of infection following illumination.