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Fast, Easy, Reliable First Responder Bioterrorism Detection System

Award Information
Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Branch: N/A
Contract: D08PC75304 (formerly NBCHC080067)
Agency Tracking Number: 0522016
Amount: $750,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: H-SB05.2-001
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2008
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-02-27
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2010-06-15
Small Business Information
750 Alfred Nobel Drive Suite 109
Hercules, CA 94547-
United States
DUNS: 117194642
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Rachel Holmes-Davis
 Scientist
 (510) 964-9700
 rachel@investigen.com
Business Contact
 Heather Koshinsky
Title: CEO
Phone: (510) 964-9700
Email: ceo@investigen.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The proposed research is to develop the prototype of a handheld first responder bioterrorism agent (BA) detection system that is threat level responsive, simple, stable and rapid for analyzing suspicious powders or aerosols for the presence of nucleic acid (NA) from BAs. Investigen¿s ¿smartDNA¿ system uses peptide nucleic acid probedye cocktails to promote a rapid color change when hybridized to target NA. The simplicity of smartDNA is its key attribute and contributes to the system¿s low unit and operating costs, projected reliability, low maintenance, low power usage, and ruggedness. Investigen will: (1) develop sensitive and specific smartDNA reagents with signatures for Francisella tularensis, Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis, (2) develop system hardware and software, (3) develop consumables concepts and (4) validate system performance compared to current detection methods. Our intention is to create a commercial diagnostic system to detect BAs that is so simple and stable that one could be in every locality. The wide spread placement of this system in peripheral locations, away from central labs, could help in response to and may even deter bioterrorism attacks. In addition, the simple smartDNA system can be used for pointofcare diagnostics for environmental, agricultural, veterinary and medical applications.

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

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