This SBIR Phase II project proposes to integrate an easy to use, inexpensive, and portable bacterial concentrator with a handheld pathogen detection system to enable ultra-low cholera pathogen (Vibrio cholerae) detection. Cholera affects communities across 41 countries, including in Yemen, where in the first 5 months of 2020 has had 110,000 suspected cases. Current methods used to detect the cholera pathogen in water involves a 3 to 5-day procedure due to the low concentrations of the bacterium found in the water. The proposed device intakes 1L of water from an environmental water source and concentrates the solution down to 1mL, enriching the bacteria contained within the sample. The enriched sample is then immediately deposited into a handheld detection system to identify low, but dangerous, bacterial levels. We propose to expand upon our SBIR Phase I work by designing a user-friendly and fully integrated device for sample-to-answer environmental V. cholerae detection. We will identify a membrane that best captures and releases V. cholerae cells from environmental water, for robust operation in the concentrator. Following, we will design, bench test, and perform user-centered studies on a concentrator that integrates a disposable test kit, to seamlessly integrate our concentrator to a pathogen detector system with minimal user steps. Lastly, we will make mixed cultures of environmentally relevant bacteria, pass the sample through the concentrator, collect, and test the sample. The final step will provide critical knowledge in the effect complex environments have in detecting Vibrio cholerae and will demonstrate a full sample-to-answer system for water-based pathogen detection.
