HandheldMEMS-based Detector of Toxins and Toxigenic Organisms Indicative of Harmful Algal Bloom

Seacoast Science proposes the extension of our MEMS-based sensor technology to provide near real-time detection, identification and quantification of toxins and toxigenic organisms indicative of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) in drinking water to provide administrators the information for public safety. Different monoclonal antibody conjugates will be mapped onto each sensor using a proprietary inject deposition process. Both the selective and non-selective binding of the antigen (toxin) with the mAb-C conjugate array will result in a change in dielectric properties of the sensor matrix that will be detected and processed giving appropriate readings. Specificity inherent in the antigen-antibody binding should limit the fraction of false positives (Fp) and the use of redundant sensors should lower the fractions of false negatives (Ffn). The nature of our proposed system allows for rapid analysis (d 10 min) with immediate display and optional linking (remotely or directly) of the signal to a computer system for automated reading and storage.