Fast, Easy, Reliable First Responder Bioterrorism Detection System

The proposed research is to develop the prototype of a handheld first responder bioterrorism agent (BA) detection system that is threat level responsive, simple, stable and rapid for analyzing suspicious powders or aerosols for the presence of nucleic acid (NA) from BAs. Investigen¿s ¿smartDNA¿ system uses peptide nucleic acid probedye cocktails to promote a rapid color change when hybridized to target NA. The simplicity of smartDNA is its key attribute and contributes to the system¿s low unit and operating costs, projected reliability, low maintenance, low power usage, and ruggedness. Investigen will: (1) develop sensitive and specific smartDNA reagents with signatures for Francisella tularensis, Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis, (2) develop system hardware and software, (3) develop consumables concepts and (4) validate system performance compared to current detection methods. Our intention is to create a commercial diagnostic system to detect BAs that is so simple and stable that one could be in every locality. The wide spread placement of this system in peripheral locations, away from central labs, could help in response to and may even deter bioterrorism attacks. In addition, the simple smartDNA system can be used for pointofcare diagnostics for environmental, agricultural, veterinary and medical applications.