Direct Toxin-Specific Biowarfare Detector

There are several potent cytotoxins such as ricin, which can be lethal with very low dose of exposure. Currently used immunochemical detection methods for such toxins are long and expensive. Recent research resulted in the discovery of peptides which bind selectively to these lethal toxins, particularly ricin, and could replace the traditional monoclonal antibody used in immunochemical detection. Our innovative approach will use a peptide-modified conductive polymer with biorecognition and biomimetic properties for binding to ricin in Phase I. The binding of peptide to ricin will induce a change in the electrical properties of the conductive polymer. Electrochemical ac and dc techniques will register the changes in situ, corresponding to the active peptide-toxin recognition. We will synthesize and characterize the novel ricin-specific detection material and focus on sensitivity and speed of recognition using ultrathin films on interdigitated electrode arrays. In Phase II, other derivatives will be synthesized for specific recognition of other toxins towards creating multi-specific detector arrays in a credit card-like format. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the Center for Biological Defense at the University of South Florida (Tampa) properly equipped to carry out the necessary testing towards a Phase III implementation of the technology.