Grantee Research Project Results
Fluorescent Nanoparticle-Aptamer-Magnetic Bead Sensor for Bioterrorism Detection in Water
EPA Contract Number: EPD04027Title: Fluorescent Nanoparticle-Aptamer-Magnetic Bead Sensor for Bioterrorism Detection in Water
Investigators: Bruno, John G.
Small Business: Operational Technologies Corporation
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
Project Amount: $69,918
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , SBIR - Homeland Security , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Some bioterrorism agents cause disease at very low infective doses and their presence can be masked by the environment. Therefore, ultrasensitive detection is required for homeland defense applications. In this Phase I research project, Operational Technologies Corporation (OpTech) proposes to couple DNA aptamers made by the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) process to commercially available fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs, composed of chelated europium in polystyrene). OpTech will demonstrate aptamer-NP-mediated detection of a bacterial, viral, and toxin simulant at low levels. Fluorescent NPs are nanometer-sized plastic and metallic "beads" that endow superior sensitivity in clinical assays (up to zeptomolar [10-21] detection limits). OpTech also will couple the DNA aptamers to magnetic microbeads and demonstrate magnetic separation and purification of the bioterrorism agent simulants from natural water samples in conjunction with aptamer-fluorescent NP detection (i.e., sandwich bead assay).
In Phase II, OpTech will design and build a prototype compact or handheld fluorescence reader. The reader will be equipped with a special magnetically assisted cartridge and employ simple magnetic microbead aptamer-fluorescent NP sandwich assays to probe, capture, and concentrate bioterrorism agents from environmental samples prior to analysis, thereby pushing the limits of sensitivity to unprecedented low levels, even in "dirty" water samples.
There is a great demand for ultrasensitive assays and instrumentation in the clinical diagnostic, water monitoring, and food industries. The marriage of well-established magnetic microbead assays, such as those marketed by Dynal, Inc., and IGEN International, Inc., with nascent NP fluorescence assays, should produce incredibly sensitive and useful assays as well as sensors for these industries.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, fluorescent nanoparticle-aptamer-magnetic bead sensor, bioterrorism detection, water security, europium, sensor, Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment process, SELEX, aptamer, sandwich assay, homeland security, EPA., RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Water, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Sustainable Industry/Business, Environmental Chemistry, Technology, Monitoring/Modeling, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, New/Innovative technologies, Drinking Water, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, nanosensors, homeland security, monitoring, detection, field portable systems, environmental measurement, field portable monitoring, nanotechnology, biopollution, drinking water regulations, community water system, field monitoring, chemical detection techniques, analytical methods, environmental contaminants, biotechnology, fluorescent nanoparticle aptamer magnetic bead sensor, ultrasenstive detection, resonating microsensor, measurement, biosensors, biosensor, drinking water contaminants, drinking water systemProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.