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

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将确定使用全息干涉仪检测生物战剂(BWAS)的可行性。生物和纳米技术正在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来实现这一创新。基于亲和力的超顺磁性纳米颗粒将被用作载体，在磁场梯度中捕获并将BWAs输送到化学匹配的生物传感器元件上。将对紧凑、灵敏和选择性的检测器系统进行改进，以实现可切换磁场梯度的应用，该磁场梯度将吸引和排斥来自分析物输送流的生物样品负载的超顺磁性粒子进入检测器的生物传感器表面和远离该检测器。将进行连续的干涉测量，并从该数据处理可量化的信号。这项技术已经被证明在表征气相化学物质方面是有效的。将自适应全息干涉技术应用于生物分子和颗粒的检测，无论是在科学进步方面还是在市场潜力方面，都是一个难得的机会。这种设备应用于医疗诊断，可以使偏远地区的艾滋病毒等大流行感染的诊断发生革命性变化，并在经济上简化诊断，以及医生办公室的护理点。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。社会对恐怖主义威胁的不确定性可能是有限的，这是基于普遍存在的高度敏感和选择性但经济的生物和化学战剂探测装置。

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.