Detection of pathogenic biofilms with bacterial amyloid targeting fluorescent probe, CDy11

Bacterial biofilms are responsible for a wide range of persistent infections. In the clinic, diagnosis of biofilm-associated infections relies heavily on culturing methods which fail to detect non-culturable bacteria. Identification of novel fluorescent probes for biofilm imaging will greatly facilitate diagnosis of pathogenic bacterial infection. Herein, we report a novel fluorescent probe, CDy11 (Compound of Designation Yellow 11), which targets amyloid in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm matrix through a Diversity Oriented Fluorescent Library Approach (DOFLA). CDy11 was further demonstrated for in vivo imaging of P. aeruginosa in implant and corneal infection mice models.