# Enzymatic Activity Profiling Using an Ultrasensitive Array of Chemiluminescent Probes for Bacterial Classification and Characterization

## TL;DR

A new method uses chemiluminescent probes to quickly identify bacteria based on their enzymatic activity, offering a faster and more versatile alternative to traditional techniques.

## Contribution

An ultrasensitive array of chemiluminescent probes enables rapid bacterial classification and characterization based on enzymatic activity profiles.

## Key findings

- The method identifies bacterial strains within 90 minutes using chemiluminescent fingerprints.
- Distinct enzymatic activity profiles were observed for various bacterial pathogens.
- The array includes probes for detecting β-lactam antibiotic resistance.

## Abstract

Identification and
characterization of bacterial species in clinical
and industrial settings necessitate the use of diverse, labor-intensive,
and time-consuming protocols as well as the utilization of expensive
and high-maintenance equipment. Furthermore, while cutting-edge identification
technologies such as mass spectrometry and PCR are highly effective
in identifying bacterial pathogens, they fall short in providing additional
information for identifying bacteria not present in the databases
upon which these methods rely. In response to these challenges, we
present a robust and general approach to bacterial identification
based on their unique enzymatic activity profiles. This method delivers
results within 90 min, utilizing an array of highly sensitive and
enzyme-selective chemiluminescent probes. Leveraging our recently
developed technology of chemiluminescent luminophores, which emit
light under physiological conditions, we have crafted an array of
probes designed to rapidly detect various bacterial enzymatic activities.
The array includes probes for detecting resistance to the important
and large class of β-lactam antibiotics. The analysis of chemiluminescent
fingerprints from a diverse range of prominent bacterial pathogens
unveiled distinct enzymatic activity profiles for each strain. The
reported universally applicable identification procedure offers a
highly sensitive and expeditious means to delineate bacterial enzymatic
activity fingerprints. This opens new avenues for characterizing and
identifying pathogens in research, clinical, and industrial applications.