Development of a Rapid Monitoring System for Detection of Pathogens in Marine Aquaculture Operations

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: InnovaPrep proposes to develop a rapid sample-to-answer monitoring system for detecting pathogens in marine aquaculture waters. An assessment of industry needs will include a kickoff meeting with NOAA and a visit to Toby Island Bay Oyster Farm. Following the assessment and report, a TRL-4 breadboard prototype system will be developed that will include the combination of sample concentration, cell lysis, and DNA purification. Finally, the system will be demonstrated at two concentrations using the BSL-1 species,Vibrio harveyi, as a surrogate pathogen. The bacteria will be spiked into simulated seawater at 0.1 CFU/mL (low level) and 10 CFU/mL (high level). The final prepared samples will be analyzed by real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. An InnovaPrep funded, preliminary marketing study will also be performed during Phase I.SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Anticipated results of the Phase I effort and the parallel marketing study, include a market size estimate for a commercial version of a mature system, and data confirming that such a system can achieve detection levels that are significant to the aquaculture industry. We anticipate confirming that the prototype system will achieve >700X concentration of analysis-ready DNA from 1L of seawater and detection of the surrogate at 285 CFU/mL.