Aptamer Enhanced Biorecognition Reagent System

OmniSite proposes to continue Phase I effort to develop aptamer-based assays to anthrax spores and SEB for detection instruments based on ECL, FP, and FRET formats. OmniSite will compare the different assay formats to determine which of thesedemonstrates the most sensitivity and specificity, as well as being robust, cost effective, and facile. Performance characteristics of the most sensitive assay method using aptamers will be directly compared to the same assay method using antibodies.The assays will be run in parallel using identical reagents. The main objective of this Phase II effort is to deliver a set of aptamer-based assays that have highly sensitive and specific detection capabilities, while providing fast results that arerepeatable and are equivalent or better than existing traditional immunoassays. This program will positively impact the Army's FCS OFW, Special Operations, and Land Warrior soldier with an improved biological detection capability and survivability.Unlike antibodies, aptamers provide a significant cost advantage by eliminating animal host and purification processes, hence are much easier to manufacture by using low cost nucleic acid and PCR reagents. OmniSite has successfully detected between 10-100anthrax spores using aptamer-based ECL sensor and developed aptamers for foodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni. OmniSite's aptamer biotechnology can provide inexpensive, fast, easy to use assays for point-of-source (POS) detection instruments (for currently fielded Portal Shield, Joint BioPoint Detection System (JBPDS) or individual chemical/biological (CB) POSsensor for OFW). Early detection of anthrax spores and SEB is vital for protection of American troops thru improving defensive response time, reducing exposure time to detected toxins to a minimum, and reducing infection rates.OmniSite is confident that these objectives will be achieved. Raytheon's Advanced Programs Manager has reviewed OmniSite's design objectives and expressed very strong interest in OmniSite's aptamer-based assays for biological detection, along with furtherexpansion of the aptamer technology to chemical detection applications to provide a full CBW sensor suite in one package for the individual soldier. Because of this huge potential, Raytheon will assist OmniSite in this point detection sensor developmentand proposal assay development for applicability to other system activities, such as FCS, Land Warrior, Special Operations, and OFW to insure successful crossover to Phase III implementation within the Department of Defense and for commercial applicationssuch as homeland defense.