07/13/2023
By Suzanne Young

The Kennedy College of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a Master’s thesis defense by Grace McLaughlin entitled "Electrochemical Detection of Bacteria using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)".

Degree: Master's
Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Olney 518

Committee Chair: Prof. Dionysios C. Christodouleas, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Prof. Kwok-Fan Chow, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Michael B. Ross, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:

Pathogenic bacteria remain a significant cause for numerous illnesses and deaths around the world every year. Current gold standard methods for bacteria detection, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic, use microbiological techniques where bacteria are enumerated and observed in a nutrient growth medium. This method is followed by molecular assays to determine the exact strain. While these methods are accurate, they require long analysis times (>24 h), and present the need for rapid, sensitive testing methods that use a single procedure. Electrochemical methods can provide quicker and easier analysis while using inexpensive instrumentation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been identified as a useful electrochemical detection method for biomolecules. In this thesis, EIS was used for the detection of bacteria with antibodies and aptamers as the capture element on gold electrodes. The aptamer-modified electrodes showed a better performance for the detection of bacteria.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.