[Hinews] A South Korean research team has developed a novel gene-based diagnostic technology that rapidly detects foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes, drawing global attention from the scientific community.

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 detects foodborne pathogens without requiring complex equipment or sample preprocessing. The technology was featured as the cover story of the July 2025 issue of Analytical Chemistry (Impact Factor 6.8, top 5.2% in JCR), underscoring its scientific and practical significance.

The M-FLASH system combines isothermal nucleic acid amplification with gold nanoparticle probes to identify specific pathogen gene sequences via 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.

(From left) Seunghyun Yeo, Mincheol Cho, and Professor Ki-Soo Park of Konkuk University’s Department of Biological Engineering. (Photo courtesy of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute)
(From left) Seunghyun Yeo, Mincheol Cho, and Professor Ki-Soo Park of Konkuk University’s Department of Biological Engineering. (Photo courtesy of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute)

The team validated M-FLASH by intentionally contaminating food samples—including cabbage, beef jerky, and eggshells—with targeted pathogens. Their experiments demonstrated detection of E. coli at concentrations as low as 10¹ CFU/mL(colony-forming units per millilitre) and Listeria at 10² CFU/mL, with color changes clearly visible to the naked eye.

The system also enables multiplex diagnostics, allowing a single kit to simultaneously detect multiple pathogens, paving the way for broader applications in food safety and other pathogen detection platforms.

“M-FLASH offers a practical solution for resource-limited settings such as 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.

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