Detection and Viability-based Discrimination of Waterborne Pathogens at the Single-oocyst Level using Microfluidic Impedance Cytometry

The existing method of detection for Cryptosporidium oocysts in treated drinking-water supplies does not divulge any information with regards to the viability status of detected oocysts. The ability to rapidly decipher such information whilst also enumerating oocyst numbers in an automated process would rapidly reduce the requirement for specialised microscopy and reduce the overall duration of the detection method. In addition, this capability would allow a more accurate assessment of the risk posed to human health. In this seminar, the use of Microfluidic Impedance Cytometry to detect single Cryptosporidium oocysts and discriminate oocysts based on their viability will be described. Microfluidic Impedance Cytometry refers to microfluidic systems with integrated microelectrodes, which measure the impedance of suspended, single particles to an electric field.