Led by Professor Ki-Soo Park of Konkuk University’s Department of Biological Engineering, the research team introduced the “M-FLASH” (Modification-Free Lateral Flow Assay for Specific Hybridization) system, which identifies foodborne pathogens without the need for sophisticated equipment or preprocessing. The technology was showcased as the cover story in the July 2025 issue of Analytical Chemistry (Impact Factor 6.8, top 5.2% in JCR), underscoring its scientific and technical significance.
The M-FLASH system integrates isothermal nucleic acid amplification with gold nanoparticle probe technology to detect specific pathogen gene sequences through a visible color change. Unlike conventional PCR-based diagnostics, which depend on high-temperature instruments and costly equipment, M-FLASH enables real-time pathogen detection, making it ideal for point-of-care testing in resource-constrained settings.
The team tested M-FLASH by contaminating various foods—cabbage, beef jerky, and eggshells—with foodborne pathogens. Their experiments demonstrated detection of E. coli at concentrations as low as 10¹ CFU/mL and Listeria at 10² CFU/mL, with color changes easily discernible to the naked eye.
“M-FLASH is a practical solution for use in resource-scarce environments like quarantine stations, ports, airports, disaster zones, and developing nations,” said Professor Park. “We aim to extend its diagnostic capabilities to include antibiotic-resistant bacteria, waterborne pathogens, and respiratory viruses.”
The research was funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety through its Smart Food Safety Management Project.
Lim Hye Jung, HEALTH IN NEWS TEAM
press@hinews.co.kr
