Hand-portable GC-TMS Instrumentation for Rapid Detection and Differentiation of Airborne Biological Threats

This project proposes the development and optimization of a compact air sampler/reactor system for collection of bacterial endospores and conversion of them into semivolatile biological marker compounds for the rapid detection of target airborne pathogens. This involves the integration of a compact particle impactor with a heated reactor for conducting controlled thermochemolysis and methylation. Samples will be analyzed using a novel coiled wire sampling device for optional automatic transfer of sample from the reactor to a compact gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The biological marker compounds that will be targeted include dipicolinic acid, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and selected amines. The analytical system will be designed to be robust against non-target endospores, vegetative bacteria, environmental contaminants, and variations in bacterial growth conditions, such as growth media and temperature. A classification algorithm using a selected set of identified biological marker compounds will be used to rapidly discriminate between biological sources. The instrumentation, methodology, and classification algorithm will be used to determine the permeation rates of biological particles through military personal protective equipment and for sampling and detection of airborne biological particles in ambient air.