Characterization and validation of a bioluminescent bioreporter for the direct detection of Escherichia coli.

A two-component bacteriophage-based bioluminescent reporter system was developed for the detection of Escherichia coli in environmental samples. The bioreporter system consists of a luxI integrated lambda bacteriophage and a lux-based bioluminescent reporter cell that responds to the infection event through acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) mediated quorum sensing and bioluminescent signal stimulation. This work addresses the ability of the bioreporter system to detect and quantify the target pathogen in response to two analytical challenges: (1) detection of target cells in the presence of lactonase-producing non-target organisms that could interrupt AHL signal transduction, and (2) detection of sub-lethally injured or physiologically stressed target cells.