Gene-Probe Electrodes to Detect Enterically-Transmitted RNA Virus Pathogens

Enterically transmitted pathogens cause far more illness than toxicants such as lead, mercury, pesticides, and all other forms of chemical contamination. The world has become increasingly vulnerable to the spread of old and flew infectious organisms and water-borne pathogens as illustrated by recent outbreaks of 20 well-known and at least 29 previously unknown diseases. New tests are needed to detect the presence of viral pathoqens down to 103 particles/mL body fluid and l04 particles/mL environmental water. We propose to develop electrochemical instruments for detection of enterically-transmitted ENA virus pathogens based on gene-probes for specific nucleic acid sequences. Our specific phase I objective is to establish the feasibility of using gene-probes coupled to colloidal gold electrodes for rapid and easy detection of ENA virus in contaminated waters. A sandwich hybridization technique will be used that allows identification of specific nucleic sequences in crude samples. Our expected result will be a system composed of disposable test-strips and a hand-held electrochemical monitor that uses nucleic acid hybridization to rapidly and easily detect pathogenic ENA virus. AndCare's experience in the development of small electrochemical test instruments will be used to meet the innovative objectives of this project. AndCare's commercialization strategy will be to produce low-cost, good-performance tests while working with the testing laboratories, state and federal agencies and major universities to introduce the tests and highlight their benefits over traditional methods. At the same time we will target small laboratories that have not been able to offer such tests because of their difficulty and relatively high costs and thus develop an entirely new market segment