Reagentless and Realtime Detection of Airborne Microorganisms

The potential use of chemical and biological weapons for mass destruction is one of the most serious concerns facing the US defense forces. Currently available devices for collection and identification of biological agents require extensive sample preparation and well equipped laboratories. Other detection methods rely on fragile biomolecules like antibodies, nucleic acids, enzymes and/or other receptors that require an aqueous environment for recognition. Such biosensors have a limited shelf-life, require additional reagents and therefore, are not suitable for onsite analysis. A system for rapid detection of BW agent spores at low concentrations is needed that is also lightweight, compact capable of running unattended for remote applications. Lynntech’s approach is based on using a novel combination of electrostatic precipitation for capture and pre-concentration of biological agents and spores directly on a reusable infrared transparent crystal followed by infrared spectroscopic characterization. Sampling system will be designed through which samples can be drawn at a high velocity without damaging the biological agents or contaminants. A fully automatic continuous air sampling and monitoring device that can detect less than 1000 spores per liter of air, and weighs less than 20 pounds will be designed and developed during the Phase II efforts.