Sub-Lethal Chemical Weapons Exposure Detection in Humans

"PROPOSAL COVER SHEETWe will develop non-invasive, non-serum based methodology for measuring exposureof humans to chemical warfare-related agents; determine optimal sample collection and preparation,analytical procedures and assays for sample matrices for detecting CW-exposure in humans. We will optimize procedures forcollecting and preparing sample matrices obtained non-invasively from humans for analysis, and develop methods for measuring the CW-related chemicals in the biological samples.Sample matrices will be exposed to doses of prototypic CW-related chemicals; the concentration of these chemicals in these sample matrices will be measured. This research will provide useful scientific information, document sampling requirements andtesting protocols of the sample matrices as markers for exposure to CW-related chemical compounds. These studies will also demonstrate the feasibility of detecting sub-lethal levels of target compounds using non-invasive sample matrices.The goal of this proposal is to adapt and develop non-serum based assays to detect sub-lethal levels of target compounds in battlefield or terrorist attack situations. Such a noninvasive detection device will play a vital role in tracking cumulative exposure, verification of CWallegedly used, the types of chemicals believed used, the extent of the alleged use, characteristics ofpossible toxic agents and will also support efforts to curb their spread and aid rapid interv