Development of a Novel Virus Capture System Using Positively Charged Silica Matrix

The Phase II goals aim to build upon the successful feasibility study completed during Phase I study and to complete the research required to commercialize the functionalized silica beads for virus detection and point-of use treatment applications. The primary Phase II objectives are aimed at developing two products: (1) a virus `capture-and-release¿ bead for use in human enteric virus and coliphage monitoring, and (2) a `capture-only¿ bead for point-of-use treatment applications. The study will focus on assessing the compatibility of eluates generated using the `capture-and-release¿ bead with downstream enumerative assays (both culture-based and molecular-based assays will be evaluated using water seeded with human enteric viruses), validation of the `capture-only¿ bead for point-of-use water treatment, and optimization of methods for commercial scale bead production (>1 kg functionalized beads per batch). Two silica formulations will be produced and validated for virus concentration and point-of-use treatment applications. The functionalized silica beads that will be synthesized during Phase II study have several commercial applications as low-cost human enteric virus and viral indications (coliphage) concentrations/detection products, and for incorporation into personal water purification devices.