Organic Thin Film Transistor for Bioterrorism Pathogen Detection

It is clear now that deadly biological materials can easily be spread throughout the U.S., and that there are few methods currently available to rapidly detect and identify these bioterrorist agents. Significant resources have been applied to thedevelopment of DNA diagnostic systems for this purpose but, to date, these systems are limited in their ability to accurately and reliably detect small quantities of target DNA and require a relatively lengthy processing period involving amplification ofeither the target or a downstream signal and are susceptible to false positives. An optimal detection system would allow for direct target DNA detection without an intervening amplification step.Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Cornell University, proposes to construct a novel and highly sensitive organic semiconductor-based DNA detection system that will have a theoretical detection limit of a single copy of target. This detection systemwill utilize organic thin film transistors and will be completely independent of any biologically-based amplification steps. In this Phase I, we will provide proof of concept for the novel detection mechanism through the microfabrication and testing ofsensing components. Potential diagnostic markets include medical, food safety, environmental, agricultural, as well as forensics, law enforcement and the military. Relevant examples of DNA diagnostic applications include the detection of bioterrorismagents, identification of multi-drug resistant bacteria in patient samples, determination of food pathogens and molecular typing of personnel.