A Nanocrystal Biosensor Array for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Waterborne Pathogens

This Small Business Innovations Research Phase I project is to develop a new generation of sensitive, rapid, portable, robust and inexpensive biosensor for simultaneous detection of multipe watergorne pathogens in water products and environment. Specificaly, NN-labs team will develop new biomarkers by conjugating the various color nanocrystals onto the monoclonal antibodies, and a new flow cell to specifically capture and concentrate the waterborne pathogens by immobilizing the monoclonal antibbodies onto the porous membrane surface, and demonstrate feasibility of the technology by detecting protein A with the biosensor setup and using a photoluminesce detector to measure the photoluminescence emitted from the nanocrystals on the immunocomplexes. The nanocrystals as biomarkers make the biosensore possible to simultaneously detect multiple water borne pathogens in a same setup with a laser source due to their broad excitation spectra, narrow and symmetric emission spedtra and high resistan to photobleaching. The high density of the immoblized antibodies on the porous membrane surface will quantitatively capture the waterborne pathogens so that sensitivity of the biosensore will be greatly enhanced and the detection limt will be lowered to 1cell/1or the pathogens. The monoclonal antibodies used will diminish the nonspecific binding and positive false signal. The nanocrystal biosensor array introduced during this proposed development program will address a critical need in the drinking water market. A reliable, sensitive, in-situ device for monitoring multiple watterborne pathogens is needed in every drinking water processing facilityin the nation. The nanocrystao biosensor array can also simultaneously detect multiple pathogns in food products for the food production and sales industry, and meet the new USDA regulations and enhance Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs for food safety. These industries could benefit economically from this novel technology in terms of the prevention of product recalls and international embargo due to microbially contaminated products. Society could benefit from this technology in terms of saving people lives, reducing diseases and consequently medical costs. Furthermore, the technology possesses a strong potential to be extended to the detection biohazards in the environment from biological warfare and other sources. Althogh this proposal focuses on civilian purposes, the technoloogy may be used for the US military.