NASA SBIR 00-1 SOLICITATION
FORM 9B - PROJECT SUMMARY
PROPOSAL NUMBER 00-1 11.01-7950 (Chron: 002051 )
PROJECT TITLE
A Portable Non-invasive Detection/Identification System for Biological Pathogens
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
We propose to develop a non-invasive, portable fluorescence-based detection system
that will be capable of detecting and identifying biological pathogens commonly
found in air, water, food, blood or even tissue that has been solublized in water.
The innovativeness of this proposal involves the development of peptide ligands,
using phage display technology, that specifically interact with different bacteria
and/or viruses. The ligands will be covalently affixed to a chip that is inserted
into the detection system. The Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering
(CBSE) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, previously developed phage
display peptide ligands that attach to specific spore strains of Bacillus anthracis
and Bacillus subtilis. A laboratory fluorescence-based detection system identified
the individual type and strain of spore. Our system will provide a tool for monitoring
crew health and environment on long distance space flights (ISS). This proposal
addresses SBIR subtopic: 11.01, Commercial Microgravity Research-"Portable
Biological Sensors- The need for sensing devices that can detect and identify
biological pathogens (airborne or in vivo) is desired to support NASA’s mission
for a permanent presence of man in space". Our system will be useful to monitor
the crew and the vehicle environment for biological pathogens.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The proposed biological sensor will be extremely valuable in any healthcare setting
since it will provide the healthcare practitioner with an immediate, non-invasive
diagnosis. It will be extremely valuable for differential diagnosis of any bacterial
strain, and of a bacterial versus viral or fungal infection. This will enable
physicians to immediately determine the proper mode of treatment thereby improving
the quality of medical care and decreasing medical costs. The detection system
can also be
used to monitor pathogenic contamination in food, water reservoirs (for consumption
or recreation), and air.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
(Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
David Hamrick
Diversified Scientific Inc.
1601 12th Ave. South
Birmingham , AL 35205 - 4709
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
(Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Diversified Scientific Inc.
1601 12th Ave. South
Birmingham , AL 35205 - 4709