Electrochemical Screening of Multiple Enzymes Relevant to Organophosphate Poisioning

Organophosphorus (OP) compounds have been extensively used as pesticides and chemical warfare agents . Potential OPs exposure exists both on the battlefield and in the civilian sector. OPs exposure inhibits enzyme activity, allowing excess acetylcholine to accumulate. Screening of multiple enzymes is highly desirable because it may provide a comprehensive description of the warrior’s capacity for low level OP exposure. Current screening use the colorimetric Ellman assay based on the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine. Some alternative approaches, such as radiometric assay, immunoassay, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or mass spectroscopy, have been reported for sensitive detection of enzyme activities. However, these assays are tedious and/or time-consuming, require expensive and sophisticated instruments, or are limited to a single enzyme. Thus, development of high-throughput, minimally invasive blood protocol to measure the human profile of enzymes affected by organophosphate chemical warfare agents is needed. It will provide the army and general public health clinics the capability of screening and confirming exposure of soldiers/agricultural workers/first responders to chemical warfare agents/pesticides/or other such toxic chemicals. Lynntech proposes to develop a simple, rapid, sensitive, hand-held field deployable biomonitoring device based on electrochemical detection principles. During Phase I, the proof-of-concept will be demonstrated. During Phase II, prototype assays will be developed.