ACT/SGER: Rapid Identification of Biological Warfare Simulants by FTIR

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ABSTRACTProfessor Gerald J. Meyer of Johns Hopkins University is developing new methods for the rapid screening of biological warfare agents by FTIR spectroscopy. The idea is to develop porous substrates to filter and trap spores for subsequent identification with FTIR spectroscopy. The eventual goal of this work is to develop a reliable, sensitive method for the discrimination between biological warfare agents and ubiquitous, naturally-occurring species. The work will develop the method using Bacillus Subtilis var. niger first, a biological warfare surrogate. Various types of porous substrates will be synthesized using electrochemical and reactive ion-etching techniques. One female graduate student will be involved in this work on the rapid identification of biological warfare agents by FTIR.This award is supported jointly by the NSF and the Intelligence Community. The Approaches to Combat Terrorism Program in the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences supports new concepts in basic research and workforce development with the potential to contribute to national security.