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A High-Throughput Blood Esterase Panel Assay

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Office for Chemical and Biological Defense
Contract: W81XWH-10-C-0063
Agency Tracking Number: C101-108-0126
Amount: $100,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: CBD10-108
Solicitation Number: 2010.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-05-21
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2010-11-20
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 100
Ithaca, NY 14850
United States
DUNS: 022552900
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Julien Fey
 Senior Scientist
 (607) 272-0002
 jfey@agavebio.com
Business Contact
 Noe Salazar
Title: President
Phone: (512) 656-6200
Email: nsalazar@agavebio.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agents (OP-CWA) are attractive to terrorist groups and rogue states as an inexpensive and accessible technology for chemical warfare. OP-CWA and organophosphate pesticides cause severe neurological symptoms and death by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the resulting excess acetylcholine accumulates and overstimulates the human or animal body. Other esterases and organophosphatases in the blood either bind (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) or catalytically degrade (paraoxonase, PON1) OP-CWA. Therefore, it is critically important to be able to quickly monitor the human blood complement of OP-CWA enzymes to assess both susceptibility and current condition. For military and civilian clinical use, a high-throughput, minimally invasive assay system is needed to quickly and accurately screen large numbers of soldiers/agricultural workers/first responders for OP-CWA or OP-pesticide exposure. The currently available WRAIR assay is high-throughput, uses a minimal amount of whole blood, and is sensitive and accurate for AChE and BChE levels. An assay that additionally measures PON1 and albumin esterase activities relevant to OP degradation and/or binding is greatly needed to more fully assess OP-CWA or -pesticide susceptibility for individuals at risk.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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