A Portable Biosensor for Francisella tularensis

描述(申请人提供)：辐射监测设备公司建议设计和制造一种便携式细菌传感器，以在现场识别CDC A类生物恐怖主义制剂--图拉氏弗朗西斯氏菌。该仪器将由一个用于执行荧光标记和免疫捕获步骤的一次性微流控平台和一个利用我们的单光子敏感盖革模式微雪崩光电二极管(MuAPD)的荧光探测器组成。MUAPD坚固耐用，由于其低功耗要求，可以由电池供电。添加适当的收集器将能够检测和鉴定空气、土壤、水和临床材料中的细菌。拟议的第一阶段研究包括三个方面的探索性和优化实验：(1)用非特异性DNA染料或荧光抗体(如有必要)对土拉氏杆菌进行荧光标记；(2)用单抗包裹的磁珠选择性免疫捕获标记的细菌；(3)构建检测器并分析标记的细菌在聚二甲基硅氧烷微通道中的流动情况。第二阶段的研究将包括开发和测试原型微流控装置、最终设计muapd检测系统、将微流控平台与探测器集成，以及评估集成原型仪器检测和识别图拉氏丝虫病的能力。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc. proposes to design and build a portable bacteria sensor to identify Francisella tularensis, a CDC Category A agent of bioterrorism, in the field. The instrument will consist of a disposable microfluidic platform for carrying out the fluorescence labeling and immunocapture steps and a fluorescence detector utilizing our single-photon sensitive Geiger-mode micro avalanche photodiodes (muAPDs). muAPDs are rugged and can be battery-powered due to their low power requirements. The addition of appropriate collectors would permit detection and identification of bacteria in the air, soil, water and clinical material. The proposed Phase I studies include exploratory and optimization experiments in three areas: (1) fluorescent labeling of F. tularensis by non-specific DNA dyes or, if necessary, by fluorescent antibody; (2) selective immunocapture of the labeled bacteria by monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic beads; and (3) construction of a detector and analysis of the fluid flow of the labelled bacteria through poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannels. Phase II studies will include development and testing of prototype microfluidic devices, final design of the muAPD detection system, integration of the microfluidics platform with the detector, and evaluation of the ability of the integrated prototype instrument to detect and identify F. tularensis.