Outer‐Membrane Protease (OmpT) Based E. coli Sensing with Anionic Polythiophene and Unlabeled Peptide Substrate

E. coli and Salmonella are two of the most common bacterial pathogens involved in foodborne and waterborne related deaths. Hence, it is critical to develop rapid and sensitive detection strategies for near‐outbreak applications. Reported is a simple and specific assay to detect as low as 1 CFU mL −1 of E. coli in water within 6 hours by targeting the bacteria's surface protease activity. The assay relies on polythiophene acetic acid (PTAA) as an...