Receptor-Conjugated Nanoparticles for Fluorescent Biowarfare Agent Detection and Microwave-Assisted Neutralization in Buildings

Nanoparticles (NPs) are nanometer-sized metallic compounds that can be coupled to receptors and used as sprays to capture and rapidly detect biowarfare (BW) agents on surfaces. In Phase I, NanoScience Diagnostics (NSD), in conjunction with PaceUniversity, proposes to couple its unique NPs to antibodies and demonstrate detection of E. coli bacteria by a sensitive fluorescence methodology. Since, NPs are highly fluorescent and exhibit specific emission peaks, the NSD-Pace team will investigatesurface detection of the bacteria by means of a light source and emission filters coupled to a CCD camera. In addition, the team will investigate coupling of microwave energy into NPs for enhanced killing of antibody-NP-captured BW agents. Initialexperiments will be conducted in a conventional microwave oven on a low power setting. Early in Phase II, NSD will investigate other types of receptors such as DNA aptamers to couple to the NPs to extend shelf-life. From comparisons of fluorescencedetectability and microwave kill rates, NSD and Pace will choose one type of receptor-NP conjugate. In the latter part of Phase II, NSD and Pace will develop or obtain receptors for several top BW agents, create cocktails of multiple receptor-NPconjugates and validate effectiveness in building interior tests. There exists a great need for microbial detection and decontamination on fomites (inanimate objects including surfaces) in homeland defense as well as the food and medical industries.NSD's receptor-conjugated-NP will be very useful in Medical Diagnostics for increasing the sensitivity of detection of various antigens and infectious disease pathogens. NSD's receptor-conjugated-NP product may be adapted to sensitively detect and nullifypathogenic microbes or toxins on surfaces in surgical suites, industrial clean rooms, or food processing facilities as well as building interiors. In addition, the technology may be adaptable to use in vivo to target deep tissue infections or tumors withhighly directed microwave energy that selectively kills cells with bound receptor-NP complexes. The technology will probably also heat inactivate viruses and toxins making it even more broadly applicable.