Immunotoxicity Monitoring Method for Unknown Noxious Exposures (IMMUNE)

Even minute exposure to toxic substances elicits a marked immunological response, most notably the release of cytokine and chemokine markers into the blood. Thus, technologies capable of real-time detection and quantitation of key serum components could potentially serve as early warning systems to chemical exposure and aid in the diagnostic process. We have developed a highly sensitive optical technology, Reflective Interferometry (RI), which allows specific, rapid, and label-free detection of analytes (microgram to nanogram quantities) in complex molecular mixtures. These biosensors have been utilized for the detection of nucleic acids and protein markers that are indicative of human infection and disease. We have recently adapted the technology for use with antibody components as our capture agents, which as allowed us to significantly broaden our application arena and the biomarkers in which we target.