SBIR-STTR Award

The project objectives are firstly, to develop an antibody immobilization method using natural marine adhesives that is more efficient than conventional methods. The second objective is to use such a method for the development of a novel flow-based immunoassay system for the rapid detection of low pathogen concentrations. The immobilization efficiency of natural marine adhesives and conventional procedures for anti-escherichia coli antibodies will be determined using an enzyme-amplified sandwich immunoassay in which alkaline phosphatase labeled anti-e coli will develop captured sample e coli carbon, polytyramine, cellulose acetate, glass, polypropylene and polystyrene. Electrochemical microimmunosensor will be developed using the above sandwich assay principal and amperometric detection for a range of pathogens. They will consist of a base electrode of platinum wire or carbon fiber which will be protected against fouling by a thin, permselective membrane such as polytyramine or cellulose acetate. Anti-pathogen antibody will be efficiently immobilized on the electrode tip and non-specific adsorption will be minimize by use of bovine serum albumin and between 20. The probes will be deigned to give rapid and reproducible responses in environmental, food and clinical samples with no sample pretreatment. They will be incorporated into an easy to use, portable, instrument for in-field determination of low pathogen concentrations.

The project objectives are firstly, to utilize the marine adhesives investigated in Phase I for the development of a flow-based immunoassay system for the rapid detection of low pathogen concentrations. Secondly, anti-pathogen antibody immobilization efficiency will be determined on platinum, carbon, polytyramine, cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene and immobilon surfaces. Electrochemical micorimmunosensors will be developed using a sandwich assay principle and amperiometric detection for a range of pathogens such as E. coli, anthracis and conotoxin. Anti-pathogen antibody will be efficiently immobilized on an electrode tip and protected against fouling by a thin, permselective membrane such as polytyramine or cellulose acetate. Thirdly, a piezoelectric sensor will be developed for a range of pathogens in the gaseous phase to be utilized in determination of aerosol contamination. All electroimmunosensors will be designed to give rapid, reproducible responses in environmental, food and clinical samples with no preincubation or pretreatment. The sensors will be developed into easy-to-use, hand-held instruments for in-field, low-level pathogen detection.