Development of an Integrated Air Sampling and Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology for detection of bioaerosols in indoor environments

Exposure to bioaerosols are associated with wide a range of public health issues. Pathogenic bioaerosols can contribute to the onset of various diseases, therefore their rapid and efficient detection is crucial to public health. Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) is a highly specific and accurate nucleic acid amplification method to detect microbes. In this study, we developed a simplified LAMP assay capable of detecting microbes in aerosols with minimal chemical and processing requirements. An air sampling system was designed to efficiently collect and recover microbes in aerosols and integrate into a LAMP assay process. We demonstrated successful collection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) aerosols and detection by a colorimetric LAMP assay. It was found that the colorimetric LAMP assay detected E. coli in concentrations as low as 102 CFU/ml. This combined technology enables accurate and rapid genomic detection of bioaerosols outside of conventional laboratory settings. This work describes a fully automated colorimetric LAMP assay device, the Luremain stable for up to 4 weeks at room temperature, however this study is ongoing, and we expect a significantly longer life of the reagent.smAir LM365, for facilitating the integrated technology with easy operation. All the processes including air sampling, DNA extraction, DNA amplification and detection were integrated on this device. The cartridge design allows the device to complete several detection processes before an intervention is required by an operator. We demonstrated that E. coli contaminated water samples can be automatically detected and analysed on our LAMP assay device in approximately 60 min. Along with the automation of the device, stable and long-term storage of LAMP reagents is an important requirement. Here we also comment on a preservation method for the LAMP reagents, and we evaluate the stability of preserved reagents at ambient temperature. Our data indicate that preserved LAMP reagents can remain stable for up to 4 weeks at room temperature, however this study is ongoing, and we expect a significantly longer life of the reagent.