Optimization of a Prototype Lateral Flow Test for Dicamba

OpportunityHerbicides since their advent in the early 1950's have been a tremendous and invaluable tool toproduction agriculture.Since that time the agricultural crop production market has changedconsiderably due to a number of technological innovations including the introduction ofgenetically modified organisms (GMO) crops.Although surrounded by some controversy theability to genetically engineer certain seeds to be resistant to specific herbicides or pesticides hasrevolutionized the market for several of the world's most important food products.It isestimated that nearly ninety percent of all corn and soybeans now grown worldwide are GMO's.Project ObjectivesThis project aims to develop an important tool which is currently non-existent.Specifically inthis Phase I SBIR project we will optimize our prototype lateral flow assay (similar to apregnancy test) for dicamba.Dicamba has been used for years however the recent developmentof dicamba-resistant and dual-resistant GMO soybeans to dicamba and glyphosate have leftfarmers with insufficient tools to protect sensitive fields from sprayer contamination or herbicidedrift.Our approach is also highly innovative in that it utilizes a relatively new form of test reagent -DNA aptamers and novel reporting methods which will enable the farmer to quickly andinexpensively assay arbitrary water samples in the field.Anticipated Results and Commercial ApplicationsBy the end of the Phase I effort we will have established a novel platform for routine fieldtesting of arbitrary water samples for dicamba.The test will have a sensitivity relevant tomonitoring spray equipment for residual herbicide which could devastate sensitive non- engineered crops.In addition to the much needed ability to test the cleanliness of spray equipment we will havecreated a more general assay tool to test leaves and roots for spray drift and for general researchpurposes.The test we propose developing will directly serve a multibillion dollar market and aidfood producers and researchers to better understand crop science.