A theoretical interpretation of the antibody-antigen interactions between Salmonella and a thickness shear mode (TSM) quartz resonator

This dissertation outlines the developmental procedure for a real-time food-borne pathogen detector that uses a thickness shear mode (TSM) quartz resonator. A theory is discussed which provides some understanding of the measured signals obtained from the TSM resonator-based Salmonella detector. The theory explains surface viscosity and mass effects, but has yet to be fully implemented for anomalous bacterial interactions. An equivalent circuit model for an immunochemical coating and its effect on the TSM resonator frequency is presented. The latter part of this dissertation describes immunological experiments with precoated piezoelectric quartz crystals. A highly purified immunological system was used to optimize the immobilization procedure.; The use of biosensors is becoming a viable alternative to conventional analysis and promises to experience dramatic growth, especially after their true potential is realized and more cost-effective assays are developed. Concern about the safety of our food and water supplies will undoubtedly stimulate further research, and miniaturized biosensors will be developed for use by safety inspectors, and concerned personnel.; A Salmonella detector has been demonstrated consisting of a TSM resonator with antibodies immobilized in a Langmuir Blodgett (LB) film on the surface [3]. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of bound Salmonella bacteria to both polished and unpolished TSM resonators were taken to correlate the mass of the bound organism to the Sauerbrey equation. Antigen-antibody interactions change the acoustic resonant properties that are reflected in the sensor frequency response. The Salmonella detector operates in a liquid environment (Salmonella suspended in a phosphate buffered saline solution). The viscous properties of this liquid overlayer could influence the TSM resonator's response. Various liquid media (buffer solutions, chicken exudate, and varying fat contents of milk) were studied as a function of temperature (0 to 50°C). Kinematic viscosity test were performed with buffer solutions and fat free milk with varying quantities of Salmonella bacteria.; The response of the TSM quartz resonator is examined theoretically by modeling the sensor load as a viscoelastic film with a semi-infinite Newtonian liquid overlayer. This study analyzes the surface mechanical impedance of the TSM resonator using a Butterworth Van-Dyke equivalent circuit model [4, 5], modified to describe the surface load as lumped circuit elements [6, 7]. The sensor's impedance parameters are first modeled as a generic surface load, and then decomposed into individual impedance parameters that describe the films viscoelastic properties and liquid overlayer behavior [7]. This document describes investigations of TSM resonator surface acoustic interactions—mass, fluid viscosity, and viscoelasticity—that affect the sensor. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...