Fluorescent Coated Filters for Detection of Biological Warfare Agent Microorganisms in Water

"Reliable and sensitive detection of microbial biowarfare agents (BWAs) such as Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Francisella tularensis is an important challenge for both military operations and domestic anti-terrorism efforts. We are proposing todevelop an antibody functionalized biomimetic polymer coating for filter membranes that will become fluorescent when exposed to samples containing BWA microorganisms. These coated filter membranes will be integrated into a portable fluorescence detectiondevice that will also be developed. The integrated device will allow rapid and easy parallel testing of solution samples - either water trapped aerosols or swab samples - for multiple BWA microorganisms. The filter will concentrate the microorganisms andthen become fluorescent as the bacteria bind to the antibodies. In Phase I we will develop the antibody/polymer coatings, detect Bacillus subtilis spores as an anthrax simulant, perform appropriate control experiments, and design the detection unit. InPhase II we will prepare coated filters for the detection of several biowarfare agents, build a prototype detection unit and use this to develop screening protocols for detecting multiple microorganism targets in parallel. An easy-to-use rapid portabledetection system that can be used by both combat support units and first responders for early warning of attacks with biological warfare agents and post-attack forensic purposes. This technology will also have significant dual-use applications in otherareas of microorganism detection such as food safety, diagnostics and environmental testing."