Design and Evaluation of Antibody-Conjugated Microneedle Patch for Early MRSA Biomarker Detection

Author

• Kylee Marie PopFollow
• Alexis Richie
• Nicholas Jenkins
• Andrew Holmes

Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor

Thomas Werfel

Second Advisor

Alex Flynt

Relational Format

Word Document

Abstract

Post-operative orthopedic surgical site infections (SSIs), specifically those caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), present a significant clinical challenge due to delayed detection, increased morbidity, and current rising healthcare costs. Early detection of infection remains limited due to the current methods of diagnosis, which consist of observation of the surgical site and laboratory infrastructure for conformation of infection. To combat these issues, my team and I have designed and evaluated a minimally invasive microneedle diagnostic patch that continuously monitors for the presence of MRSA-associated biomarker PBP2a in interstitial fluids around surgical site incisions. Upon antigen detection, a colorimetric response is generated, which will enable rapid point-of-care visual detection without the need for specialized equipment and interpretable signal for outpatient monitoring.

Evaluation of the microneedle patch performance was done through both mechanical and biochemical validation methods. Penetration capability and structural integrity of the microneedle array were assessed using 3D-printed patch models on tissue samples. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed to confirm the binding specificity and functionality of the primary and secondary antibody mechanism to the protein PBP2a. The results establish the feasibility of the microneedle patch as a device that can be used as an early diagnostic tool for early MRSA detection in post-operative surgical sites.

Recommended Citation

Pop, Kylee Marie; Richie, Alexis; Jenkins, Nicholas; and Holmes, Andrew, "Design and Evaluation of Antibody-Conjugated Microneedle Patch for Early MRSA Biomarker Detection" (2025). Honors Theses. 3573.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3573