Sample-to-answer diagnostics to detect bloodborne viruses using thermally responsive alkane partitions (TRAPs)

Ease-of-use, which in particular includes sample-to-answer operation, is the key to moving diagnostics away from the central lab. Our group invents new approaches to eliminate precise operational steps from sample preparation and assay operation in order to make diagnostics easier to use. We are currently applying our assay automation strategies, such as thermally responsive alkane partitions (TRAPs), to the detection of viruses in blood samples.

Funding: NIAID (R01AI176197), Maryland Device Development Fund

• Evan H. Benke, David J. Boegner, Alejandra M. Bogusch, and Ian M. White, Sample-to-answer detection of miRNA from whole blood using thermally responsive alkane partitions, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, in press, 2025. DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2024.117052

• David J. Boegner, John R. Rzasa, Evan H. Benke, and Ian M. White, Saliva-STAT: Sample-to-answer saliva test for COVID-19, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 136510, 2024. DOI:10.1016/j.snb.2024.136510

• David J. Boegner, Miso Na, Anthony D. Harris, Robert H. Christenson, Colleen M. Damcott, Brent King, LaToya Stubbs, Peter Rock, and Ian M. White, Sample-to-answer detection of SARS-CoV-2 viremia using thermally responsive alkane partitions, Analytical Chemistry, 96, 12049–12056, 2024. DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.4c02105.

• Micaela L. Everitt, David J. Boegner, and Ian M. White, Sample-to-Answer Immuno-Magnetic Assay Using Thermally Responsive Alkane Partitions, Biosensors, 12, 1030, 2022. DOI:10.3390/bios12111030.

• David J. Boegner, Micaela L. Everitt, and Ian M. White, Thermally Responsive Alkane Partitions for Assay Automation, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 14, 8865–8875, 2022. DOI:10.1021/acsami.2c00493.

• John P. Goertz, Kerry DeMella, Benjamin Thompson, Ian M. White, and Srinivasa Raghavan, Responsive capsules that enable hermetic encapsulation of contents and their thermally triggered burst-release, Materials Horizons, in press, 2019. DOI:10.1039/c9mh00309f.

• John P. Goertz, Kenya Colvin, Andrew Lippe, John Daristotle, Peter Kofinas, and Ian M. White, Multi-Stage Chemical Heating for Instrument-Free Biosensing, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 10, 33043–33048, 2018. DOI:10.1021/acsami.8b11611

• John P. Goertz and Ian M. White, Phase-change partitions for thermal automation of multi-step reactions, Analytical Chemistry, 90, 3708–3713, 2018. DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b05400.

Phenotypically amplified β-lactamase (PhABL) assay for the detection of multidrug resistance to β-lactams

β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales have developed resistance to β-lactam antibiotics by generating β-lactamase enzymes that destry β-lactams. These pathogens are best detected phenotypically, but this generally requires multiple rounds of culture. We are developing approaches to reduce the time-to-result in order to improve patient outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship.

Funding: NIAID (R21AI151929)

• Shannon H. Hilton, Connor Hall, Hieu T. Nguyen, Micaela L. Everitt, Philip DeShong, and Ian M. White, Phenotypically distinguishing ESBL-producing pathogens using paper-based surface enhanced Raman sensors, Analytica Chimica Acta, 1127, 207-216, 2020. DOI:10.1016/j.aca.2020.06.068.

• Hieu T. Nguyen, Shweta Ganapati, David Watts, Imaly A. Nanayakkara, Philip DeShong, Ian M. White, A new trimodal phenotypic reporter of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase activity, ACS Infectious Disease, in press, 2019. DOI:10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00138.

Portable histone assay technology (PHAST) for the sample-to-answer risk assessment of trauma-induced multiple organ failure

Severe trauma can lead to multiple organ failure. We have developed a sample-to-answer point of care test using thermally responsive alkane partitions (TRAPs) that detects circulating histones in patient blood samples in order to assess the risk of multiple organ failure.

Funding: NHLBI (R61HL167252)

• Miceala L. Everitt, David Boegner, Konstantin Birukov, and Ian M. White, Sample-to-Answer Diagnostic System for the Detection of Circulating Histones in Whole Blood, ACS Sensors, 6, 3006-3012, 2021. DOI:10.1021/acssensors.1c00886.

Inkjet-Printed SERS Substrates

As a bio/chemical sensing technique, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offers sensitivity comparable to that of fluorescence detection while providing highly specific information about the analyte. Although single molecule identification with SERS was demonstrated over a decade ago, today a need exists to develop practical solutions for point-of-sample and point-of-care SERS systems. We recently demonstrated the fabrication of SERS substrates by inkjet printing silver and gold nanostructures onto paper and other similar membranes, achieving detection limits comparable to conventional nanofabricated substrates. Furthermore, we have leveraged the fluidic properties of paper to enhance the performance of the SERS devices while also enabling unprecedented ease of use, which is critical for extending chemical and biological analytics from central labs out into the field. We are currently investigating the use of these paper-based SERS sensors for both chemical and biological sensing applications.

Funding: NSF, Maryland Industrial Partnerships, Ocean Optics

• Stephen M. Restaino and Ian M. White, A critical review of flexible and porous SERS sensors for analytical chemistry at the point-of-sample, Analytica Chimica Acta, in press, 2019, DOI:10.1016/j.aca.2018.11.057

• Adam G. Berger, Stephen M. Restaino, and Ian M. White, Vertical-flow paper SERS system for therapeutic drug monitoring of flucytosine in serum, Analytica Chimica Acta, 949C, 59-66, 2017. DOI:10.1016/j.aca.2016.10.035

• Eric P. Hoppmann, Wei W. Yu, and Ian M. White, Multiplex detection of DNA targets using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and paper surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) chromatography, Applied Spectroscopy, 68, 909-915, 2014. DOI:10.1366/14-07451.

• Jordan F. Betz, Wei W. Yu, Yi Cheng, Ian M. White, and Gary W. Rubloff, Simple SERS substrates: powerful, portable, and full of potential, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 16, 2224-2239, 2014. DOI:10.1039/C3CP53560F.

• Eric P. Hoppmann, Wei W. Yu, and Ian M. White, Inkjet-printed fluidic paper devices for chemical and biological analytics using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 20, 7300510, 2014. DOI:10.1109/JSTQE.2013.2286076.

• Eric P. Hoppmann, Wei W. Yu, and Ian M. White, Highly sensitive and flexible inkjet printed SERS sensors on paper, Methods, 63, 219-224, 2013. DOI:10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.07.010.

• Wei W. Yu and Ian M. White, Chromatographic separation and detection of target analytes from complex samples using inkjet printed SERS substrates, Analyst, 138, 3679-3686 2013. DOI:10.1039/C3AN00673E.

• Wei W. Yu and Ian M. White, Inkjet-Printed Paper-Based SERS Dipsticks and Swabs for Trace Chemical Detection, Analyst, 138, 1020-1025, 2013. DOI:10.1039/C2AN36116G. (outside front cover)

• Wei W. Yu and Ian M. White, A simple filter-based approach to surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for trace chemical detection, Analyst, 137, 168-173, 2012. DOI:10.1039/C2AN15947C.

• Wei W. Yu and Ian M. White, Inkjet Printed Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Array on Cellulose Paper, Analytical Chemistry 82, 9626-9630, 2010. DOI:10.1021/ac102475k.