Ketan Dighe
Rapid, Plasmon-Enhanced LFA for Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea Detection
Abstract
As of now, rapid gonorrhea tests are limited in detecting drug-resistant strains, leading to overtreatment, undertreatment, and escalating antibiotic resistance. It is, therefore, not possible to rapidly differentiate resistant and wild-type infections at the point of care, which is critical for guiding effective therapy. In our novel application of a cost-effective lateral flow assay-based platform, we integrate antisense oligonucleotide probes targeting gyrA and penA genetic segments in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, coupled with multilayered plasmon-enhanced fluorescent nanoparticles that harness the Purcell effect to amplify colorimetric and fluorescent signals. We achieve sensitive detection without enzymatic amplification by embedding fluorophores between precisely spaced metallic shells. Through planned clinical validation, this test promises a transformative solution for clinicians for effective gonorrhea management, curbing antimicrobial resistance, and improving public health.
Receiving the Predoctoral Fellowship from the PhRMA Foundation is incredibly rewarding, as it affirms the significance of my research and my passion for advancing biomedical innovation from the lab to clinical practice. Besides connecting me to a network of renowned scientists, this fellowship enables me to sharpen my research skills, pursue high-impact, underexplored ideas in medical device development, and build a strong foundation for future clinical translation to improve patient outcomes.
