Defense Date

3-31-2025

Graduation Date

Spring 5-9-2025

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Biomedical Engineering

School

School of Science and Engineering

Committee Chair

John Viator

Committee Member

Kimberly Williams

Committee Member

Benjamin Goldschmidt

Keywords

Photoacoustics, PDMS Microfluidics, Bacteriophage Tagging, Laser-Induced Acoustics

Abstract

The emergence and proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria present a significant and growing challenge to global public health, with the potential to render many existing antibiotics ineffective. Infections caused by these resistant pathogens are difficult to treat, resulting in higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. A major obstacle in combating these infections is the slow pace of traditional diagnostic methods, such as blood cultures, which typically take 2-3 days to identify the causative bacteria and determine their antibiotic resistance profiles. This delay in diagnosis hinders timely interventions and appropriate treatment, further contributing to the spread of resistant infections. As such, there is an urgent need for more rapid, efficient, and accurate diagnostic technologies that can facilitate earlier detection and guide better-targeted treatments.

Photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) has emerged as a promising diagnostic technology with the potential to revolutionize blood testing. By combining the sensitivity and specificity of flow cytometry with the imaging power of photoacoustic signals, PAFC allows for the rapid identification of bacterial pathogens and the assessment of their antibiotic resistance in a much shorter timeframe. Unlike traditional blood cultures, which rely on the growth of bacteria, PAFC can detect bacterial cells directly from blood samples, providing near-instantaneous results that can drastically reduce the time required for diagnosis.

My contributions to advancing PAFC technology have been integral in improving its clinical applicability. I have worked extensively on enhancing the sensitivity of the method, enabling the detection of lower concentrations of bacteria, including those present in early stages of infection. Additionally, I have focused on optimizing the manufacturing process of PAFC devices, which has significantly reduced production times and costs, making the technology more accessible for widespread clinical use. One of my key innovations has been the substantial reduction in the testing time, which now allows for bacterial identification and antibiotic resistance profiling to be completed in a matter of minutes, as opposed to the 2-3 days required by traditional methods. These optimizations not only increase the overall efficiency of the diagnostic process but also improve patient outcomes by ensuring faster treatment decisions.

These advancements in PAFC technology represent a significant step forward in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections, offering a more rapid, accurate, and cost-effective alternative to current diagnostic practices. By enabling earlier detection and more targeted treatment strategies, PAFC has the potential to greatly improve the management of infectious diseases, reduce the misuse of antibiotics, and ultimately contribute to better global health outcomes.

Language

English

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