SBIR-STTR Award

This project will demonstrate the feasibility of developing a low cost test method for detecting dioxins and furans in human and animal samples. The new test method will significantly reduce the time and cost of sample analysis while providing a more accurate assessment of health effects. The method is based upon the use of the Aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor for detecting toxic dioxin and furan congeners. The Ah receptor is responsible for initiating all of the toxicological effects associated with exposure to dioxin-like compounds. The patented Ah receptor gene has been incorporated into a sensitive assay system that detects dioxin-like compounds as TEQ using non-toxic calibrators. The SBIR funds will be utilized to optimize and standardize formulations, define preliminary protocols and to perform internal validation.National Institute of Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Dioxins and furans comprise one of the most deadly and feared families of pollutants in the world. Exposure to dioxin-like compounds has been linked to cancer, harmful reproductive and developmental effects, immunotoxicity, diabetes, and endometriosis. Methods currently used to detect dioxins in humans and animals can cost up to $2500 per analysis. This project will complete the development of a cost-effective assay system for the detection of dioxin-like compounds that incorporates the human Ah- receptor. The Ah-receptor has been shown to mediate most, if not all, of the toxicological effects associated with exposure to dioxin-like compounds. Because the test incorporates the human Ah-receptor, it provides the most accurate measure of toxicity obtainable. The tests system developed in the SBIR Phase I program can be easily adapted to state-of-the-art clinical instrumentation. The SBIR Phase II funds will be utilized to optimize the assay system, integrate the test system to the instrumentation, establish assay performance and validate the test claims.Proposed commercial application:The Ah-receptor test is applicable to medical diagnostics, food testing, toxicity testing, drug development and environmental testing.Thesaurus termsanalytical chemistry, bioassay, dioxin, drug receptor, environmental toxicology, furan, method development monoclonal antibody, recombinant protein Sf9 cell line, laboratory mouse, yeastNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)