STAPH-ARM: Detection and Disruption of MRSA Biofilms through Engineered Bacterial Swarms

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes approximately 119,000 infections annually in the United States, with mortality rates of 20-50% in severe cases. Other organizations push the number further to 101,000 deaths globally. The WHO ranks MRSA among the highest-ranked Gram-positive bacteria, with high mortality, incidence, and transmissibility. Current MRSA tests take about 24 to 48 hours to get results. This test waits until there is enough bacteria to be detected, increasing the risk of fatal infections. STAPH-ARM addresses this problem through engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) that chemotactically “swarm” toward MRSA biofilms. The modified bacteria then exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light for visual detection, and then they release dispersin B enzyme to interrupt the biofilm matrices in less than 20 minutes. The wet lab will create a genetic circuit using a constitutive promoter (BBa_J23100), a genetic construct used for quorum sensing (BBa_K731500), green fluorescent protein (GFP) (BBa_E0040), and dispersin B (BBa_K584000). This will enable swarming, UV-detection, and biofilm disruption, which targets 50-70% clearance. Human practices will involve 20-30 stakeholders, including local healthcare providers, janitors, and gym personnel. Additionally, educational programs will be dedicated to individuals in impoverished areas, and workshops will be instituted to inform adults about this infection. The Swarm-Clean application on smartphones will employ image processing using OpenCV to analyze surfaces illuminated by ultraviolet light, state common locations of MRSA contamination, and provide cleaning guidance with a target accuracy of 90%. This integrated platform could reduce MRSA detection time from 2 days to 20 minutes at only $3 per test. This introduces current MRSA surveillance in communities, while supporting microbial elimination in hospitals and communities.

Keywords

Applied Science - Applied Biological Science

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