Detection of Infectious Bacteria in Water

In this Phase I STTR, Nomadics has teamed with the Keck Graduate Institute to develop a new form of highly sensitive biological filter intended for the protection of water supplies. In light of the growing concern about bioterrorism, an early warningsystem for the presence of biological agents in potable water would be desirable. The proposed system will be capable of supplying real-time data in a continuous setup to indicate the presence of BW agents. It should enable the detection of a broad rangeof microorganisms, while offering the ability to expand the specificity as needed. The system will be portable and easy to operate. The basis of the proposed system is a breakthrough amplifying fluorescent polymer developed at MIT and functionalized byNomadics to detect biological agents. In the proposed work, lechtins will be used as the binding agent in a proof-of-concept demonstration in the detection of Salmonella and E. coli, two potential biological warfare agents. The proposed system is clearlybeneficial to the nation's efforts at homeland security and national defense. However, the sensor system is a platform technology that will have wide application across many fields with the use of specifically functionalized polymers that can detectbiological or chemical contaminants in industrial, municipal, and recreational water supplies and fluid systems.