SBIR-STTR Award

A portable fluorometric spectral analyzer for rapid field or shipboard diagnosis of Campylobacter enteritis and Shigella dysentery Is proposed for Phase I feasibility demonstration. All living cells are fluorescent and exhibit "fingerprint" spectral patterns that allow for their detection and Identification. The Campylobacter and Shigella bacteria have specific fluorescent patterns that may be used for their identification and separate classification from the microbes of other microbial diseases such as malaria (protozoa) and dengue fever (virus). In addition to their fluorescent spectral patterns, these two microbes also have significantly different sizes and shapes which can be detected through an expanded form of spectrometric analysis in the same Instrument. In fact, this same instrument with modifications could be used In the future to diagnose malaria. In Phase 1, a benchtop experimental optical breadboard in combination with existing commercial laboratory instruments, will be used to establish the feasibility of the proposed instrument to detect and Identify Campylobacter and Shigella without the need for reagents of any kind.

Keywords:
Fluorometry Spectral Analyzer Microbiology Identification Shigella Campylobacter

The primary objective if the proposed Phase II program relates to the demonstration of a prototype flourmetric instrument for the rapid identification of coliform bacteria in a field environment. A secondary objective emphasizes a similar instrument applied to the rapid identification of Campylabacter and Shigella species of bacteria for disease diagnosis. Devlopment of this medical diagnostic instrument for field application is included as the Phase I option with a separate budget and work program. Work activities in Phase II will emphasize the development of a field instrument for coliform detection and the extensive testing of the instrument in operational environments.

Benefit:
There is a very large commercial market for rapid detection of coliform bacteria in the field, in the laboratory and on-line at water wastewater utilities. There is even a larger market for rapid diagnosis of infectious disease through identification of pathogenic bacteria.

Keywords:
Shigella, spectral, identification, Fluorometry, campylobacter, Microbiology, Analyzer