011: Genetic Engineering of a Salmonella Phage as a Rapid Biosensor for Salmonella Detection

Introduction

Salmonella contamination poses a significant threat to global food safety, necessitating innovative detection methods. This study aimed to engineer a bacteriophage S16 to serve as a targeted diagnostic biosensing tool for capturing, concentrating, and detecting Salmonella in water and agricultural systems.

Methods

The S16 phage was genetically modified to express monomeric streptavidin-Soc fusion protein and a NanoLuc luciferase gene, enabling biotin-mediated conjugation to magnetic nanoparticles on the phage capsid and bioluminescent reporting of host infection. This engineered phage was then utilized to concentrate Salmonella from water samples, followed by luminescence-based detection.

Results

The modified S16 phage demonstrated successful conjugation to magnetic nanoparticles, facilitating the concentration of Salmonella from 10 mL samples. The assay achieved a detection limit of <10 CFU Salmonella within 7 hours, significantly outperforming traditional detection methods.

Significance

This study showcases the potential of phage-based diagnostics for rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella, offering a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing the risk of future Salmonella outbreaks.

Authors: Ranee K. Anderson and Sam R. Nugen