A New Micropore Detector for Detection of Biological Warfare Agents

Current systems for the detection of biological warfare agents (BWA) using DNA and/or pathogen identification operate exclusively based on the amplification of target DNA and there are no commercial instruments which will provide amplification-less DNAanalysis. A new micropore detection system is proposed which will be capable of direct detection of pathogens and or their DNA with no amplification, however offering an extraordinary sensitivity approaching only a few copies or a single DNA moleculedetection. The detection system is based on a simple electrical detection of a signal originating from the micropore detector. Fully developed instrument will offer multiplexed detection of BWA in a ruggedized, field portable design, which will makefeasible the detection of BWA and infectious pathogens in a point of care, and hand-held devices. The overall objective of the Phase I will be to demonstrate the feasibility and develop the proposed new sensing system. The Phase II will incorporate thesensing system with a microfluidic sample preparation which will include pathogen separation and direct detection in the micropore sensor, or separation and detection of DNA after lysing the target pathogens. The Phase II project will culminate with afunctionable portable prototype for detection of BWA agents. The proposed detection system is universal offering detection in immunoassay type systems as well as in nucleic acid based systems. The applications will range from military detection of BWA toanalysis of pathogens in diagnosing infectious diseases.