A Self-Contained Assay Device for Rapid Detection of Viable Cryptosporidium in Wa

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will investigate the technical feasibility of an in vitro excystation-based automated cartridge assay for rapid detection of viable Cryptosporidium oocysts in water. Briefly, viable oocysts will be subjected to an in vitro excystation step to release sporozoites and the antigens for detection on a patent-pending self- contained cartridge immunoassay system. The Phase I research will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of specific detection of viable oocysts with a direct detection limit (i.e., without sample preconcentration) of d100-1000 oocysts/mL within in 1-2 h, which will be improved in Phase II to achieve the detection of d100 oocysts/10 L with sample preconcentration. The proposed assay will ultimately be highly automated and provide quantitative results for viable oocysts within 4 h from sample acquisition, largely reducing the complexity and lengthiness of current standard methods and allowing for ne