Direct Toxin-Specific Biowarfare Detector

After the successful demonstration of our Phase I approach, we propose to develop in Phase II a multispecific biowarfare electrochemical sensor for simultaneous detection of 5 toxins and 2 biothreat bacteria (anthrax spores, tularemia bacteria, botulinum toxin A, cholera toxin, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, Shiga toxin and ricin toxin). The sensor will utilize electrochemical aptamer-mediated protein detection on modified ultrathin conducting polymer films. The approach has been tested in Phase I for ricin toxin detection and proved to be advantageous in time and sensitivity compared to peptide-mediated detection, showing detection times under 1 minute and atomole sensitivity. The development of functionalized electrodes, testing and performance optimization using simulants will be performed at Fractal Systems. Testing of individual electrodes and the multispecific sensor with biowarfare pathogens in complex mixes and spiked environmental samples will be performed at the Biodefense Center (University of South Florida). It is anticipated that by the end of Phase II, a commercially viable multispecific biowarfare protein electrochemical sensor will be developed. The developed sensor will require minimal sample preparation, will utilize basic electrochemical equipment, and will be portable, robust and user-friendly. The commercialization effort will be accomplished through strategic alliances with larger well-established companies in the field.