Molecular Analyzer for Efficient Gas-phase Low-power INterrogation (MAEGLIN)

The Molecular Analyzer for Efficient Gas-phase Low-power INterrogation program has been developing sensors to detect harmful gaseous chemicals in air. The goal is detection of weapons of mass destruction or chemical indicators of illicit activity (e.g., narcotics production). In a COVID-19 pivot, MAEGLIN is now investigating the program’s new micro-gas chromatograph as a breath sensor to detect signs of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a life-threatening condition associated with COVID-19.

IARPA MAEGLIN Program Sensor Starts Clinical Trials
April 28, 2020: Researchers have completed assembly of the first test device (Fig. 1) and received final approvals for the clinical trial protocols. Initial results of the clinical trial are expected be available in June 2020, with more complete results available later in the summer.

Figure 1: The sensor being used in clinical trials is packaged in a shock-resistant and easily decontaminated carrying case. A ventilator or breathing tube can be attached directly to the sensor intake. A laptop connected via micro-USB collects data with the flip of a switch without requiring an expert to operate the device. (Photo used with permission)

The MAEGLIN Program and University of Michigan pivot towards the development of a non-invasive, breath-based sensor for pre-clinical detection of ARDS
April 3, 2020: As part of IARPA’s Molecular Analyzer for Efficient Gas-phase Low-power INterrogation program, the University of Michigan developed a micro-gas chromatography (µ-GC) system (Fig. 2) to sample and identify hazardous chemicals in the air. In preliminary clinical trials, the sensor proved capable of diagnosing diseases such as ARDS and asthma from exhaled breath (Fig. 3). Preliminary testing prior to the COVID-19 outbreak showed the µ-GC was able to identify patients who would later show ARDS symptoms more than 24 hours earlier than the existing clinical diagnostics. Early identification of patients likely to suffer from ARDS could enable earlier treatment of the large fraction of COVID-19 patients who develop this life-threatening condition associated with the virus. The µ-GC system is undergoing an accelerated clinical trial to assess its effectiveness as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, to help triage patients and better allocate resources, to help monitor COVID-19 patients through the recovery phase, to inform treatment and identify potential relapses. IARPA expects the first devices to be delivered in May 2020 and clinical trials to begin soon thereafter.

Figure 2: Sensor platform developed by the University of Michigan in Phase 1 of the MAEGLIN program. This is nearly identical to the sensor being tested in the clinical trials. (Photo used with permission)

Figure 3: Proposed use of the MAEGLIN University of Michigan µ-GC as a breath sensor for medical conditions.

Research Highlights

• Scientists Develop Device for Detecting Early Stages of Lung Problems Caused by COVID-19
• The Air Force has a bomb detector that can sniff out life-threatening coronavirus cases