Pathogenic Agent Diagnostic

To address the Armys need for a phage-quantum dot (phage-QD) fielded platform for the detection of biodefense-relevant pathogenic bioagents, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Pathogenic AgeNt DiAgnostic (PANDA) system. The PANDA system combines both the unique optical properties of quantum dots with the binding specificity of phages to detect multiple pathogens at the point-of-care, while remaining highly sensitive and specific. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate to the Army the feasibility of the phage-QD assay to detect and quantify the presence of a pathogenic bioagent in a matrix sample. In Phase II, POC plans to validate the bioassays multiplexing capability by testing for numerous pathogenic bioagents, optimizing the bioassay parameters, and building a prototype that integrates a fluorescent detection system, microfluidics control unit, housing and system control unit, and a smart electronics subsystem. POC will also actively engage the FDA to secure the systems licensing and commercialization.