Silica-encapsulated DNA tracers for measuring aerosol distribution dynamics in real-world settings.
Anne M LuescherJulian KochWendelin Jan StarkRobert N GrassPublished in: Indoor air (2021)
Aerosolized particles play a significant role in human health and environmental risk management. The global importance of aerosol-related hazards, such as the circulation of pathogens and high levels of air pollutants, have led to a surging demand for suitable surrogate tracers to investigate the complex dynamics of airborne particles in real-world scenarios. In this study, we propose a novel approach using silica particles with encapsulated DNA (SPED) as a tracing agent for measuring aerosol distribution indoors. In a series of experiments with a portable setup, SPED were successfully aerosolized, recaptured, and quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Position dependency and ventilation effects within a confined space could be shown in a quantitative fashion achieving detection limits below 0.1 ng particles per m3 of sampled air. In conclusion, SPED show promise for a flexible, cost-effective, and low-impact characterization of aerosol dynamics in a wide range of settings.
Keyphrases
- human health
- risk assessment
- climate change
- water soluble
- circulating tumor
- cell free
- single molecule
- high resolution
- particulate matter
- intensive care unit
- nucleic acid
- mechanical ventilation
- mass spectrometry
- loop mediated isothermal amplification
- gram negative
- respiratory failure
- low cost
- circulating tumor cells
- deep learning