Using specific binding DNA capture elements to direct pulsed power killing of biological agents

Abstract

We have demonstrated that coating bacterial spores with organic semiconductor (diazoluminomelanin) enhances killing of these spores by pulsed microwave energy in aqueous solutions. Here we present additional data showing that this can be done with dry agent in a pulsed corona plasma reactor. We also show that the reduction/oxidation reactions that mediate these effects can be generated on the immediate surface of the target spores by microwave pulses by linking the organic semiconductor specifically to the spore surface with a DNA capture element.