PORTABLE AUTOMATED PHAGE ISOLATION TECHNOLOGY

Phages are becoming important players as therapy candidates against multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections affecting both military and civilian populations. There is a need to purify and concentrate phages in the field for subsequent analysis in backend specialized laboratory. Phage isolation and cultivation from environmental samples requires expensive, bulky instrumentation and intensive manual procedures. Currently, the ability to automate the isolate and purify phages in remote areas does not yet exist. In order to streamline the rapid phage enrichment, screening and isolation, we propose to develop a portable and fully automated system, comprising of microfluidics based sorting and concertation technology for isolation and purification of phages. During Phase I, we will focus on component-level technology demonstration using mimicked environmental samples. Breadboard component prototypes will be developed and tested. Phase II research will focus on integration and automation, with extensive testing with real world environmental water samples. Our portable and automated system for purification of phages from field water will provide a novel capability for wide usage in both the military and civilian population.