Feature University Spotlight
Montana State University professor Stephan Warnat is principal investigator on the grant. MSU photo by Colter Peterson.
a chance to harm the crops. The sensors are coated with aptamers, which are short, synthetic strands of DNA or RNA engineered to fold into a specific 3D shape. This unique shape allows it to act like a molecular“ lock and key” to capture pathogens in the hydroponic systems. The electrochemical sensor changes its output based on the pathogen concentration. When they do, they trigger the release of biodegradable nanoparticles – made primarily from chitosan, a naturally occurring polymer – that have been engineered to capture bacteria, such as pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. When the chitosan binds to the harmful cells, it forms a larger agglomerate that can be removed by the hydroponic system ' s filtration equipment, protecting the harvest from pathogens.
The viability of the technologies involved in the threestep process – the detection, capture and removal of pathogens from a hydroponic farm – are each previously demonstrated to be effective. The system under development would combine the technologies in a way to automate the steps to protect hydroponic crops from harmful pathogens.
“ The project addresses critical challenges faced by hydroponic farmers in Montana,” said Dilpreet Bajwa,
AcreageLife. com head of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.“ It will enhance productivity, profitability and resilience of hydroponic operations while supporting local food production and strengthening the state ' s agricultural economy.”
Another benefit of early detection and eradication of harmful bacteria is that it allows plant-nourishing microbes to develop into biofilms, which can be beneficial to the crops.
“ Helpful biofilms can function as fertilizers,” Warnat said.“ These biofilms are healthy for plants. But you have to be careful which kind of biofilm is forming. If the pathogen is inside the biofilm, then that can lead to a catastrophic event – meaning total crop loss.”
Examples of biofilms include plaque on teeth, the muck that sometimes grows inside plumbing fixtures and the slippery coating commonly found on rocks in streams, rivers and lakes.
Foreman and Warnat are affiliated with MSU’ s Center for Biofilm Engineering, which is the world’ s first and largest biofilm research center.
The grant will fund two graduate students: one master’ s student and one doctoral student. The grant provides funding through April 30, 2029.
September 2026 AcreageLife 23