Summary
| Title: | Fast Diagnosis and Antiobiotogram for Urinary Tract Infections using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy |
| Coordinator: | Dr. Constantinos Pitris |
| Principal Investigator: | Dr. E. Kassini, University of Cyprus |
| Collaborators: | Dr. M. Psallidopoulos, Limassol Medical Center |
| Dr. M. Maria Alexandrou, Limassol General Hospital | |
| Dr. P. Hadjikoumis, Hadjikoumis Laboratory | |
| Dr. M. Polycarpou, University of Cyprus | |
| Funding Agencies: | Research Promotion Foundation, £ 68 000 |
| Duration: | 3/2007-2/2009 |
Abstract
This work aims to design a novel diagnostic device for urinary tract infections using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). Using SERS, processed urine samples placed on a roughened metal surface, are expected to give a greatly enhanced Raman signal characteristic of the species of bacteria present in the sample. The degree of sensitivity of the urine sample to different antibiotics will be determined based on changes observed on the spectrum of the treated versus untreated sample. This system is intended to bypass the conventional methods of culturing that are currently used, allowing same day identification of the pathogenic species of bacteria as well as of the antibiotic to which the bacteria is most sensitive to.