| Summary: | Healthcare associated infections of wound sites are a complex problem with substantial effects on patient morbidity and financial ramifications to healthcare bodies. The increasing interest in novel diagnostic strategies and preventing infections have led to an incursion of research into the topic. Whilst most emphasis has been placed on preventing wound infections, the bacterial flora is an ever present risk to the compromised host. In contrast with the majority of research developing antibacterial smart-dressings, the research detailed within describes the development of in-situ electrochemical sensor assemblies suitable for incorporation within traditional or ‘smart’ wound dressings. Sensor developments have led to prototype construction of a multitude of sensing substrates capable of quantitative analyses for the identification of infection. The key developments contained within highlight both generic and organism-specific sensors which can reliably monitor key chemical components of a wound exudate to allow sampling-free infection diagnostics. The target biomarkers of pH, urate and pyocyanin have been chosen and measurements attained using novel, small and flexible carbon-based substrates to form chemical-free electrodes - thereby removing the risk of chemical leaching into the wound environment. The ability to monitor pH using chemical-free carbon miniaturized electrodes is both innovative and of widespread commercial interest within woundcare and therefore subject to patent approval. Novel sensors to detect pyocyanin, produced specifically by Ps. aeruginosa have allowed accurate and precise measurements of pyocyanin at physiologically relevant concentrations and are suggested for the specific diagnosis of Ps. aeruginosa wound infections. To enable the reliable use of these sensing systems in situ advances in antibacterial sensor coatings have also been targeted, culminating in the development of electrodes coated with a polymer of the natural product plumbagin. These are proven to aid the catalytic reduction of molecular oxygen to reactive intermediates with bactericidal activity. Developments contained within have made a substantial contribution to the scientific community, not only to sensor materials and interfaces, but also towards the real-life applicability of the sensing technologies as highlighted by the list of publications and conference presentations (Appendices 1 and 2, respectively).
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