NCN Grants – Sonata Bis

We warmly congratulate Dr Kamila Sadowska, Professor at IBIB, on obtaining funding for the NCN SONATA Bis grant entitled: ‘Research on new sensitive layers for the detection of quorum sensing molecules’.

Sonata bis 2023/50/E/ST5/00347 ‘Study on novel sensing layers for determination of quorum sensing signal molecules’ Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Kamila Sadowska, PhD, DSc.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, also known as the blue pus bacillus, is a common bacterium that causes chronic hospital-acquired infections. One of the mechanisms by which P. aeruginosa causes infection is through quorum sensing (QS). QS is a form of bacterial communication that relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers (AIs), rather than words. These AIs regulate various processes, including biofilm formation, expression of virulence factors, production of secondary metabolites, and adaptive responses. Bacterial infections are typically detected using microbiological techniques such as agar plate culturing, combined with microscopic analysis, disc diffusion tests, and related methods. However, conventional bacterial detection approaches have several limitations, including long assay times, insufficient sensitivity and specificity, and the need for complex diagnostic instrumentation.
In this project, we propose the development of tools for the rapid detection of four autoinducer compounds secreted by P. aeruginosa. Monitoring AI secretion during the early stages of bacterial colonization would enable a rapid response to disrupt the QS system and inhibit infection development. We plan to develop sensors based on molecularly imprinted conductive polymers and DNA fragments. These sensors will be evaluated using both laboratory-prepared and biological samples. Biological samples will be obtained by culturing Pseudomonas aeruginosa under controlled conditions.