ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS USING RNA/PROTEIN FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Not Available This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I will develop a method and portable instrument design for the separation and analysis of bacteria in water samples. One application is for a field deployable instrument to screen for biological warfare agents. Automation and rapid analysis times are required for this application. One problem with conventional biological assay techniques is the delay in being able to identify the infectious agent. Another issue is the isolation of the infectious species. The identification of antibodies to various bacteria is allowing an advance in immunoassay technology. Many new test kits are emerging for testing in clinical and food applications. Another emerging technique for biological analysis is capillary electrophoresis. This analytical tool has been used to separate and identify proteins, drugs, viruses, nucleotides, and other biochemical species. By combining the advantages of immunoassays and capillary electrophoresis, new analytical techniques can be developed with synergistic capabilities for the rapid separation, isolation, and analysis of bacteria. Once the technique is optimized, small portable instruments will be designed for field-deployable applications. BENEFITS: This Research will provide a new analytical methodology to develop a portable diagnostic instrument that will aid in the separation, isolation, and identification of bacteria in water samples. Faster and improved analysis methods of bacteria will aid in trea