NBD-PMX

BAC TWO is a fluorescent optical SmartProbe designed for the rapid, bedside detection of Gram-negative bacteria. It consists of the antibiotic polymyxin B, which has a high affinity for the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, conjugated to a nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorophore. When administered (e.g., instilled into the lungs via a fiber-optic catheter or applied to corneal scrapes), the probe binds to Gram-negative bacteria and fluoresces, allowing for real-time imaging and identification of infections without the need for sample washing or further processing. Developed by a multidisciplinary team at the University of Edinburgh, University of Bath, and Heriot-Watt University as part of the Proteus project, BAC TWO has been evaluated in clinical trials for detecting lung infections in mechanically ventilated patients and for diagnosing microbial keratitis (corneal ulcers).

Other names

Bac-TwoSmartProbe BAC TwoNBD-polymyxin B