SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of this Phase I project is to develop a simple, rapid, and highly automated sample collection system that will concentrate a broad range of pathogens simultaneously. The system will integrate continuous flow centrifugation with an innovative positively charged filter so that large (i.e., protozoan parasites and bacteria) and small (i.e., enteric viruses) biologically active particles can be concentrated in a single procedure. The system developed in this research project will be fully compatible with current and commonly employed analytic detection techniques and other advanced detection methods such as real-time polymerase chain reaction, DNA microchip arrays, as well as other biosensors. This innovative sample collection and concentration device will provide sample concentrates for the direct detection of waterborne pathogens using molecular techniques or biosensors for routine monitoring water quality as well as an emergency response platform that will aid rapid identification for both of biological weapon attacks and post-attack monitoring during remediation. The final product is envisioned as an automated sample collection and concentration device that will be capable of handling a variety of water matrices ranging from drinking water to wastewater because of the inherent capacity of continuous flow centrifugation to accommodate particle-laden waters and avoid the fouling problem common to all filtration methods when high-turbidity water samples are processed. The automated system also will make it possible to perform online and real-time monitoring of waterborne pathogens or fecal indicators when the system is coupled with other rapid detection systems such as biosensoring techniques. Supplemental

Keywords:
small business, SBIR, waterborne pathogens, drinking water, water quality, drinking water monitoring, microbial agents, biosensors, biological weapon detection, wastewater, groundwater, fecal indicators, public health, terrorism, terrorist attack, homeland security, water protection, EPA

The goal of this research project is to develop a simple, rapid, and highly automated sample collection system that will concentrate a broad range of pathogens simultaneously. The system will integrate continuous flow centrifugation (CFC) with an innovative positively charged filter so that large (i.e., protozoan parasites and bacteria) and small (i.e., enteric viruses) bioparticles can be concentrated under an integrated platform. Because CFC is not subject to the limitations of traditional filtration approaches that are subject to fouling, and because its utility was evaluated extensively through Phase I study using a broad range of waterborne pathogens, the integration of CFC and cartridge filtration will extend the utility of the sample concentration platform to accommodate a diverse range of natural and treated water samples that cannot be processed using current filtration methods alone. The system developed in this research project is intended to be compatible with current and commonly employed analytic detection techniques and other advanced detection methods such as real-time PCR, DNA microchip arrays, as well as other biosensors. This innovative sample collection and concentration system will provide concentrated samples for routine and advanced water quality monitoring, and will be readily incorporated as a front-end measure for rapid identification of bio-agents in the face of bioterrorism events and post-attack monitoring. The final product is envisioned as an automated sample collection and concentration device that will accommodate a variety of water matrices ranging form finished drinking waters to particle-rich matrices such as surface and wastewaters. The open design of the automated system also will extend the utility of online and real-time sensor arrays for waterborne pathogens and indicator microorganisms. Supplemental

Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, drinking water monitoring, water quality monitoring, biosensors, wastewater, bioterrorism, homeland security