Real-time, Ultrasensitive Water Supply System Biosensor

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I proposal seeks to develop an ultra-sensitive, low-cost, highly-redundant biowarfare (BW) agent sensor for the in-line monitoring of water supply networks. The compact microphotonic sensor will be capable of rapidly (<1 s) detecting multiple BW agents and pathogens via highly-selective DNA and protein-specific interactions. The sensor will provide real-time screening of water distribution systems for numerous targets, providing an on-site, highly-parallel sensor platform that outperforms existing sensor technologies for both small-scale and large-scale water networks. The Phase I research comprises demonstrating the core technology on pathogen simulants, and identifying fabrication formats that are suitable for large-scale manufacturing. The ability to detect waterborne pathogens rapidly with high selectivity will be demonstrated, and embodiments for the Phase II prototypes that are configured for DoD priority targets will be determined. The water screening biosensor will be installed, tested, and qualified at a DoD facility on priority targets during Phase II. During Phase III, the sensor will be adapted for commercial applications comprising military and domestic water quality monitoring systems and portable clinical diagnostic systems for first responders. The proposed real-time sensor system is an ideal trigger technology for proven, yet time consuming diagnostic methods such as PCR.