biostudies-literatureJun SWNational Research Foundation of Korea3470https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9203813biostudies-literatureUnknown13(1)In this study, we perform a thermal curve analysis with terahertz (THz) metamaterials to develop a label-free identification tool for pathogens such as bacteria and yeasts. The resonant frequency of the metasensor coated with a bacterial layer changes as a function of temperature; this provides a unique fingerprint specific to the individual microbial species without the use of fluorescent dyes and antibodies. Differential thermal curves obtained from the temperature-dependent resonance exhibit the peaks consistent with bacterial phases, such as growth, thermal inactivation, DNA denaturation, and cell wall destruction. In addition, we can distinguish gram-negative bacteria from gram-positive bacteria which show strong peaks in the temperature range of cell wall destruction. Finally, we perNature communicationsTerahertz thermal curve analysis for label-free identification of pathogens.PMC92038132020R1A2C10057352021R1A6A1A10044950Jun SWAhn YHfalseTerahertz thermal curve analysis for label-free identification of pathogens.In this study, we perform a thermal curve analysis with terahertz (THz) metamaterials to develop a label-free identification tool for pathogens such as bacteria and yeasts. The resonant frequency of the metasensor coated with a bacterial layer changes as a function of temperature; this provides a unique fingerprint specific to the individual microbial species without the use of fluorescent dyes and antibodies. Differential thermal curves obtained from the temperature-dependent resonance exhibit the peaks consistent with bacterial phases, such as growth, thermal inactivation, DNA denaturation, and cell wall destruction. In addition, we can distinguish gram-negative bacteria from gram-positive bacteria which show strong peaks in the temperature range of cell wall destruction. Finally, we per2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jun2025-04-04T03:06:17.901Z2025-02-19T05:06:15.181ZS-EPMC92038133571079710.1038/s41467-022-31137-2