SBIR Phase I: Standardizing Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Using Synthetic Biology

This SBIR Phase I project will develop positive controls based on existing genetic sequencing data to generate sufficient quantities of positive control DNA from whole organisms for PCR-based pathogen detection and genotyping methods. The project team will use synthetic biology techniques to determine whether a library of synthetic genes for five species of cryptosporidium would be feasible and commercially viable. The library will be validated as a positive control for both identification and quantification. The project reflects the state-of-the-art in cryptosporidium identification and quantification and advancements are likely. The broader/commercial impact of the project will be in the controls necessary to validate existing and to-be-developed protocols for identifying and quantifying cryptosporidium and other waterborne pathogens. More rapid methods development, as well as better quality control will afford more precise results and also a reduced risk of laboratory contamination.