Microperoxidase-Antibody Conjugates for Toxin Biosensing

Several fundamental parameters need to be addressed with regard to the development of biosensors. Protein stability is a major criteria for sensors devoted to long-term monitoring. The enzyme label is typically the most unstable componenet in biosensors. Additional problems encountered with immunobiosensors include diffusional limitations and reversibility. The research proposed in this grant application will address these problems by studying the applications of microperoxidase as a catalytic label for two toxin monoclonal antibodies. Such studies will involve the preparation and characterization of three forms of microperoxidase. The microperoxidase will be conjugated to antibodies through several specific methods; resulting conjugates will be tested with regard to several fundamental criteria, including stability. A prototype toxin biosensor will be created and the resulting conjugates will be tested for their ability to detect toxins. These studies should provide the foundation for Phase II research which will further improve the characteristics of the conjugates and develop a portable biosensor for field use.