All optical detection of T4 bacteriophage via near-infrared transmission spectroscopy

Authors

  • Ivan Cedrick M. Verona ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Grace Lachica ⋅ PH Philippine Genome Center–Program for Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños
  • Vince Paul Juguilon ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Alexander De Los Reyes ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Hannah Bardolaza ⋅ PH Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Neil Irvin Cabello ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Gonzalo Serafica ⋅ PH Corresponding Member, National Academy of Science and Technology
  • Elmer Estacio ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman

Abstract

The T4 bacteriophage is a bacteriophage species that infects Escherichia coli bacteria. The T4 bacteriophage has similar dimensions to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and may be used as a medically safe alternative for performing initial coronavirus detection techniques without the necessity for level 2 biohazard safety precautions. A proof-of-concept demonstration of the detection of T4 bacteriophage suspended in phage buffer 150 mM NaCl, 40 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), and 10 mM MgSO4, with double distilled water was performed using near-infrared transmission spectroscopy. A characteristic transmission dip occurring at 6800 Ã… was observed for T4 bacteriophage concentration comparable to the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the saliva of an infected human.

SPP2021 Proceedings Cover

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Published

2021-10-14

Issue

2021: Proceedings of the 39th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Section

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

License

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How to Cite

[1]
“All optical detection of T4 bacteriophage via near-infrared transmission spectroscopy”, Proc. SPP, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. SPP–2021, Oct. 2021, Accessed: Apr. 13, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2021-2B-05