SBIR Phase I: A Label-Free SERS-Capture Assay in Microchips for Biological Warfare Agents

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目开发的检测芯片可以在10分钟内以所需的灵敏度检测、识别和量化A类或B类生物制剂的存在。该分析芯片将在多孔溶胶-凝胶中使用银颗粒，选择性地提取和结合特定的生物制剂，并使用表面增强拉曼光谱（SERS）进行检测。这些芯片将成为分析仪的一部分，该分析仪还包括一个气溶胶收集器和一个现场可用的拉曼光谱仪。该方法的可行性将在第一阶段通过开发银功能化方法结合蜡样芽孢杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌孢子，并通过SERS检测捕获事件来证明。在二期项目中，将开发检测芯片，并对几种A类或B类生物制剂进行现场测试。这项研究的更广泛影响是提高我们监控恐怖分子袭击的公共场所的能力，以及实施快速反应和对策的能力。这些信息将挽救生命，并大大减少与此类袭击有关的恐怖活动。该设备还可用于检测与食品和水安全有关的更常见的B类病原体（例如大肠杆菌0157:H7）。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project develops assay chips that can detect, identify, and quantify the presence of Category A or B bioagents at the required sensitivity within 10 minutes. The assay chips will employ silver particles in a porous sol-gel to selectively extract and bind a specific bioagent with detection using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The chips will be part of an analyzer that also includes an aerosol collector and a field usable Raman spectrometer. Feasibility of the approach will be demonstrated during Phase I by developing the silver functionalization method to bind Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis spores, and to detect the capture event by SERS. During the Phase II project, assay chips will be developed and field-tested for several Category A or B bioagents.The broader impacts of this research an enchancement of our ability to monitor public places targeted by terrorists, and to implement rapid response and countermeasures. This information will save lives and substantially reduce the terror associated with such attacks. The device can also be adapted to detect more common Category B pathogens regarding food and water safety (e.g. E. coli 0157:H7).