Form 9.B Project Summary
Chron:
970657
Proposal
Number:
18.01-6431
Project Title:
Non-Destructive In Situ Detection of
Nucleic and Amino Acids
Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)
We propose development of a laser capable of
emission at appropriate deep UV and visible
wavelengths to enable a nucleic and amino acid
detection system with low mass, low power
consumption, low cost, and non-destructive
characteristics, making this instrument highly
attractive for in situ exploration of Mars and
Europa.
All known examples of self-replicating terrestrial
organisms contain nucleic and amino acids.
Deep UV excitation (222-251 nm) of nucleic acids,
aromatic amino acids, or proline can produce a
Raman resonance event. Resonance response
increases signal strength by 102 to 104. Excitation
at these deep UV wavelengths avoids almost all
fluorescence activity usually encountered in
biological material, permitting (under controlled
laboratory conditions) the detection of a single
microbacteria.
The enabling break-throughs for in situ use of this
technology are recent advances in hollow cathode
metal ion lasers and miniature, monolithic
spectrometers as detectors. It is now feasible to
fabricate deep UV lasers 10-15 cm in length, 2-4 cm
in diameter, weighing 50-100 grams with an
electronics package of comparable size, and
drawing only 2-3 watts of electrical power. These
lasers are the enabling technology for the
micro-miniature extant life detectors and the focus
of the proposed development.
Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)
Deep UV sources of light are of great interest for a
wide range of biotechnology instrumentation
applications because of the ability to induce
fluorescence or Raman response in fluorophors
which occur naturally in most biological materials.
Presently the only sources of deep UV light for
these instruments are deuterium lamps or xenon
flashlamps. Both of these sources of deep UV are
very limited in source radiance and therefore are
very limited in their ability to induce response in
small sample volumes.
Because of the ongoing need to increase the speed
and specificity of analytical instruments, lasers are
increasingly used as light sources. Because of the
lack of availability of inexpensive, reliable, deep
UV lasers, present instruments commonly employ
visible lasers in conjunction with dye tags to identify
the biochemicals of interest. These dye molecules
are often as large as the molecules being
investigated and significantly alter the chemistry
and therefore the reliability of the results.
The deep UV hollow cathode metal ion lasers being
proposed eliminate the need for dye tagging and
are capable of providing over 10,000 times the
source radiance of a deuterium lamp at comparable
prices. This will significantly influence the future
design of instruments such as capillary
electrophoresis instruments, high performance
liquid chromatographs, DNA sequencers, and flow
cytometers.
Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,
Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Mr. Ray Reid
Photon Systems
1518A Industrial Park St.
Covina , CA 91722
Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,
City/State/Zip)
Dr. William Hug
Photon Systems
1518A Industrial Park St.
Covina , CA 91722