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STTR Phase I: Smart SAM for Visible Detection of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins

Award Information

Agency:
National Science Foundation 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
88483 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
0740590 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
White River Bioscience, Inc.
672 N. Cliffside Drive Fayetteville, AR 72701-3813
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: STTR Phase I: Smart SAM for Visible Detection of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins
Agency: NSF
Contract: 0740590
Award Amount: $150,000.00
 

Abstract:

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project applies newly developed technology to construct a smart Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM) for the rapid detection of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins, (PSTs), which are neurotoxic seafood poisons produced by algae then accumulated in filter-feeding shellfish. The disease that results from ingestion of contaminated shellfish is called Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning or PSP. The proposed technology could be applicable to an inexpensive, portable device, to an accessory for a benchtop fluorometer, or in an array for high throughput analysis. The broader impacts of this research are related to the protection of human health by providing an alternative to animal testing in determining the safety of shellfish for human consumption. PSTs can be fatal to humans. PST detection programs may use a number of techniques, but mouse bioassay is the current benchmark technique in the food safety arena. This method involves injection of a shellfish extract into a mouse. The time it takes the mouse to die correlates with toxicity. The mouse bioassay is a reliable indicator of human toxicity, but it is expensive and time consuming, especially for large numbers of samples. For both economic and ethical reasons, an alternative is highly desirable.

Principal Investigator:

Thomas S. Atkinson
BA
4795756933
tommy.atkinson@gmail.com

Business Contact:

Thomas S. Atkinson
BA
4795756933
tommy.atkinson@gmail.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

White River Bioscience, Inc.
672 N. Cliffside Drive Fayetteville, AR 72701

EIN/Tax ID: 202442645
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
University of Arkansas
120 Ozark Hall
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Contact: Robert Gawley
Contact Phone: (479) 575-6933
RI Type: Nonprofit college or university