Bio-Forensic Assays

Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a robust field-deployable assay for detection of biological pathogens (spores, viruses, bacteria) in complex aqueous samples. Our approach involves the combination of several novel technologies for enhancing thesensitivity, specificity, and dynamic range of biological warfare agent (BWA) detection. Integrated into a single assay, these novel components comprise a versatile platform technology that, in principle, is compatible with any fluorescent tag,recognition/binding element (e.g., antibodies, aptamers), biological entity (pathogens, proteins, DNA, etc.), and sample preparation method. The proposed assay will provide high density multiplexing, namely the ability to perform multiple assays in asingle sample, thus reducing both sample volumes and reagent consumption, and provide a greater degree of statistical reliability, especially for forensic applications. The Phase I results demonstrated proof-of-principle for the individual assaycomponents. In this proposal we detail the synthetic and formulation methods that will be used to produce and integrate the optimized assay components, and describe the methods that will be used to characterize the pathogen detection characteristics ofthe assay. The proposed pathogen assay will contribute to the protection of military and civilian personnel from biological attack, and serve as an analytical tool for forensic investigations. The technology has broad applications in the commercial sectorfor clinical diagnostic and prognostic assays and tools for pharmaceutical development.