Direct Electrochemical Biowarfare Sensor

We propose to develop a prototype for direct electrochemical DNA sensor, using oligonucleotide-doped conductive polymer electrode. Phase I is dedicated to development and characterization of smallpox-specific DNA sensor. Stability, sensitivity,selectivity, reproducibility of DNA detection by the prototype electrode will be characterized with regards to both oligonucleotide- and double stranded DNA- targets, containing specific sequence of smallpox virus. Optimization towards higher sensitivityand faster detection time will be performed. In future efforts, the prototype can be adapted to detection of any warfare agent of bacterial or viral nature by choosing the specificity of oligonucleotide dopants. It will be possible to use an array of suchelectrodes with designed specificities for simultaneous detection of multiple warfare agents. Direct specie-specific biowarfare sensors will have a great potential for detection of minute amounts of a variety of biowarfare agents, if and when an attack onmilitary targets or the general population takes place by a rogue nation or a terrorist group, immediately after their use. Using our approach, these sensors will be highly selective for the detection of multiple biowarfare agents with a high sensitivity.They will have a versatile design as they would be miniaturized in a credit card or badge-like format.