SBIR Phase I: Biological Warfare Agent Detection Utilizing Magnetic Nanoparticles for Agent Delivery and an Adaptive Holographic Interferometric System

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将确定使用全息干涉仪探测生物战剂（BWAs）的可行性。生物和纳米技术通过制备基于亲和力的纳米颗粒和探测器系统的生物传感器单元，使这一创新成为可能。基于亲和的超顺磁性纳米颗粒将被用作载体，在磁场梯度中捕获和递送BWAs到化学匹配的生物传感器元件上。紧凑、灵敏和选择性的检测器系统将被修改，以实现可切换磁场梯度的应用，该梯度将吸引和排斥装载生物样品的超顺磁性颗粒，这些颗粒来自分析物输送流，进入和离开检测器的生物传感器表面。将进行顺序干涉测量，并从这些数据处理可量化的信号。该技术已被证明在表征气相化学品方面是有效的。应用自适应全息干涉测量技术检测生物分子和粒子，无论是在科学进步和市场潜力方面都是一个非凡的机会。这种用于医疗诊断的设备可以彻底改变和经济地简化偏远地区以及医生办公室护理点对艾滋病毒等大流行感染的诊断。它可以帮助药物开发公司降低成本，这将减缓不断增长的医疗费用的步伐。基于普遍部署一种高度敏感和选择性但经济的生物和化学战剂探测装置，有关恐怖主义威胁的社会不确定性可以得到限制。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will establish the feasibility of detecting biological warfare agents (BWAs) using a holographic interferometer. Bio- and Nanotechnologies are enabling this innovation through the preparation of both affinity-based nanoparticles and biosensor unit of the detector system. Affinity-based superparamagnetic nanoparticles will be utilized as carriers to capture and deliver BWAs in a magnetic field gradient onto a chemically-matched biosensor element. The compact, sensitive and selective detector system will be modified to enable application of a switchable magnetic field gradient that will attract and repel biosample-loaded superparamagnetic particles from the analyte delivery stream onto and away from the detector's biosensor surface. Sequential interferometric measurements will be made and quantifiable signal will be processed from this data. The technology has already been demonstrated as effective in characterizing vapor phase chemicals. Application of the adaptive holographic interferometry technology for detection of biomolecules and particles represents an extraordinary opportunity, both in terms of scientific advancement and market potential. Such a device applied to medical diagnostics could revolutionize and economically simplify diagnosis of pandemic infections such as HIV in remote locations as well as point of care in physician's offices. It could help drug development companies to lower costs, which would slow the pace of ever-increasing healthcare expenses. Social uncertainty regarding the terrorist threat could be limited, based on ubiquitous deployment of a highly sensitive and selective yet economical biological and chemical warfare agent detection device.