Porous Membrane Electrode for Quantitative Detection of Toxins

In Phase I, a novel porous electrode was designed to demonstrate a rapid, simple assay for the detection of domoic acid in marine samples. During Phase II, methods to manufacture porous electrodes will be improved to enable high volume production of low-cost biosensors that can be connected to a potentiostat. These biosensors will be incorporated into a portable test kit for the quantitation of domoic acid. Based on performance evaluations, the assay protocol will be adjusted to provide the optimal response at appropriate detection levels. Reagent formulations will be optimized to increase signal, reduce background noise, improve reproducibility, and lengthen test kit shelf life. Following optimization, a complete prototype test kit will be assembled. Field trials using the prototype kit will be performed by potential users. Standard operating procedures for the manufacture and quality control of reagents will be established. The successful completion of Phase II will lead to the market launch of a commercially useful onsite domoic acid test kit in Phase II.