Microarray Assay for Detection of Lab Animal Pathogens

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的主要目标是开发一种基于微阵列的系统，用于实验室动物的综合健康评估。这种基于微阵列的测试将能够同时测试所有相关病原体的存在，并且将仅需要少量的血液或血清。在第一阶段，AmberGen与Pulsar临床技术公司合作，该项目的分包商计划开发和评估微阵列分析系统的关键组件，用于检测实验室动物血液中循环的多种病原体特异性抗体。该集成系统将基于专有的微阵列技术制造方法，利用硝化纤维素悬浮液。该方法产生具有高结合能力和低背景荧光的微阵列基底。在I期期间，将评价该试验系统的几个关键组件，包括抗原结合能力、灵敏度、特异性和重现性，使用几种来源于已知状态的小鼠病原体和小鼠血清的模型抗原。在第二阶段，将开发一种能够检测小鼠中所有相关病原体的微阵列检测方法，供动物设施使用。波士顿大学动物科学中心副主任Nirah Shomer博士将担任该项目的顾问。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The main goal of this project is to develop a microarray based system for comprehensive health assessment of laboratory animals. This microarray based test would be capable of simultaneous testing for the presence of all relevant pathogens and would require only a small amount of blood or serum. During Phase I, AmberGen in collaboration with Pulsar Clinical Technologies Inc., a subcontractor on this project, plans to develop and evaluate critical components of a microarray assay system for the detection of multiple pathogen-specific antibodies circulating in blood of laboratory animals. This integrated system will be based on a proprietary microarray technology fabrication method utilizing nitrocellulose suspension. This method results in microarray substrates with high binding capacity and low background fluorescence. During Phase I several critical components of this assay system will be evaluated, including antigen binding capacity, sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility using several model antigens derived from mouse pathogens and mouse sera of known status. During Phase II a microarray assay capable of testing for all relevant pathogens in mice will be developed for animal facilities use. Dr. Nirah Shomer, Associate Director of Boston University Animal Science center will serve as a consultant on this project.