SBIR-STTR Award

Nanohmics, Inc. proposes to develop the most sensitive antibody and/or DNA aptamer-quantum dot (Qdot)-based lateral flow (LF) test strips possible for detection of high consequence toxins such as abrin, botulinum, ricin and SEB in environmental soil and water samples from sites of suspected Chem-Bio (CB) attacks.Although commercial colloidal gold-LF test strips for some toxins already exist, Nanohmics’ innovation of incorporating very high affinity antibodies and/or DNA aptamers and highly fluorescent Qdots into LF test strips will significantly improve sensitivity.In addition, multiple line or micro-dot matrix LF strips can be constructed with multiple colored fluorescent emissions based on Qdot size (multiplexing of at least 3 lines or 6 dots in a matrix on the analytical membrane) with one common UV excitation source such as a simple mineral light or mini-UV light box.In addition to qualitative visual assessment, the LF test strips will be quantified via a smart phone camera adaptor or customized handheld fluorescence reader priced below $1,000 to make field-based quantitation of the toxins facile with rapid sharing of data via the internet and cloud storage.In Phase II, Nanohmics will expand its menu of CB toxin assays and complete its smart phone or handheld reader development for assessment by DHS.

Nanohmics, Inc. proposes to continue its successful development of highly sensitive antibody and/or DNA aptamer-quantum dot (Qdot)-based lateral flow (LF) test strips for on-site detection of at least 6 high consequence biotoxins including abrin, botulinum, ricin, saxitoxin, SEB and tetrodotoxin in environmental surface and soil swabs as well as food and water samples from sites of suspected bio-terrorist attacks. All tests will be conducted in one dot matrix array of capture receptors (antibodies and/or aptamers) on a single test strip with qualitative and quantitative handheld fluorescence imaging readers and sensitivity of at least 10 ppm (i.e., < 1 µg/100 µl or 2 drop sample). In addition, Nanohmics will explore potentially even more sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-Qdot- or Ru(bpy)3-based detection on its multiplexed LF test strips. Assays for small molecule toxins such as saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin will be based on a competitive format and therefore show decreased fluorescence or ECL with increasing toxin concentration. Once a format is finalized, Nanohmics' subcontractor Attogene Inc. will optimize and produce a number of prototype fluorescence and/or ECL-based LF strips for beta testing by DHS or other government agencies concerned with biothreats in Phase III.Nanohmics will produce a sensitive handheld qualitative fluorescence reader (Q-Viewer; $10 to $20) and a hardened but highly portable and even more sensitive quantitative reader (< $500) for field deployment. Both readers will be battery-operated and equipped with GPS tracking and WiFi/text message data transfer.