Emzyme-Polymers for Nerve Agent Decontamination

This Phase I research proposal is directed at demonstrating the feasibility of decontaminating nerve agents on sensitive surfaces and equipment using enzyme-containing polymers. Nerve agent hydrolyzing enzyme polymers have distinct advantages over conventional technologies for agent degradation as they are compatible with biological tissues and wound sites, highly specific for chemical agents, and evnironmentally friendly. The Phase I work plan was devised to illustrate the viability of covalently incorporating enzymes within a polyurethane polymer matrix and optimizing enzyme specific activity retention within high quality polymer fabrics. Numerous enzymes including organophosphorus hydrolases, cholinesterases, and organophosphorus acid anhydrolases will be simultaneously incorporated within the same polymer to maximize the nerve agent degrading capacity of the material. Successful accomplishment of the specific aims of the proposal will provide proof of concept of the usefulness of nerve agent degrading polymers containing multiple enzymes. Nerve agent degrading polymers will have broad-based utility for the US armed forces as well as the anti-terrorism domestic preparedness community.