A multi-valent polymyxin-based fluorescent probe for the detection of Gram-negative infections†

Abstract

Amulti-branched fluorogenic probe for the rapid and specific detection of Gram-negative bacteria is reported. ThreeGram-negative-targeting azidomodified polymyxins were clicked onto a trivalent scaffold functionalised with the environmental green-emitting fluorophore 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa- 1,3-diazole. The probe allowedwash-free detection of target bacteriawith increased sensitivity and lower limits of detection compared to monovalent probes.