# Development of an Electronic Microchip for Real-Time Label-Free Quantification of Conjugation

> **NIH NIH R21** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 2020 · $216,464

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Increasing prevalence of (multi)drug resistant bacterial pathogens has become one of the most
pressing public health threats. A number of clinically important drug-resistant pathogens have acquired
antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRg) from non-pathogenic commensal or environmental microbial
AMRg reservoirs through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). HGT is importantly contributing also to
dissemination of their virulence factors in microbial communities. Nevertheless, mechanisms and
dynamics of horizontal gene transfer among bacteria are currently hindered by methods that typically
rely on labeling and genetic modification of model strains. This enables the studies of HGT among wild
type pathogenic and commensal strains in microbiomes. To overcome this challenge, we propose to
develop a sensitive electronic chip based on two-dimensional (2D) material channels with
mechanical strain-dependent properties for real-time label-free direct quantification of
conjugative interactions. We will use E. coli as a model system and immobilize populations of donor
and recipient cells on specifically designed array-formatted chips to allow for mapping of conjugation
in situ. Upon conjugative interaction, the pili extension, contact with recipient cell and retraction/rotation
cause shear force that are expected to substantially modulate electronic properties of the 2D material
channel and result in a measurable change in electrical signal. Graphene will be used as a proof-of-
concept 2D material. The continuous probing of the electrical resistance is expected to provide
quantitative information on the dynamics and rate of conjugative interactions among bacteria
immobilized in a chip. Ultrathin and transparent nature of 2D materials will enable concurrent validation
of conjugative interactions by confocal laser scanning microscopy of fluorescently labeled cells and
pili in real-time.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9969389
- **Project number:** 5R21GM132793-02
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jasna Kovac
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $216,464
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9969389

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9969389, Development of an Electronic Microchip for Real-Time Label-Free Quantification of Conjugation (5R21GM132793-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9969389. Licensed CC0.

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