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Handheld Aptamer-Magnetic Bead-Quantum Dot Assays for Crimean-Congo Fever

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W81XWH-09-C-0029
Agency Tracking Number: A083-181-0021
Amount: $729,988.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A08-181
Solicitation Number: 2008.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-04-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2012-05-15
Small Business Information
4100 N. W. Loop 410 Suite 230
San Antonio, TX 78229
United States
DUNS: 154088710
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 John Bruno
 Senior Scientist
 (210) 731-0000
 john.bruno@otcorp.com
Business Contact
 William Henderson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (210) 731-0000
Email: bhenders@otcorp.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Operational Technologies Corporation (OpTech) has completed a successful Phase I proof-of-concept for a plastic-adherent DNA aptamer-magnetic bead (MB) plus aptamer-fluorescent nanoparticle assay for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus in serum. By partitioning the assay away from the bulk solution, the signal-to-noise ratio increases greatly. Assays have been lyophilized and rehydrated with little or no loss of performance against key surface peptides, an albumin-peptide conjugate and irradiated CCHF virus. Therefore, OpTech proposes to continue development by testing the assay in serum with viable CCHF virus of several types and other related and unrelated viruses in BSL-4 laboratory facilities of the Southwest Research Foundation for Biomedical Research (SwFBR) co-located with OpTech in San Antonio. OpTech will conduct several rounds of live virus testing with the SwFBR and, if necessary, re-select aptamer sequences to detect the broadest possible array of CCHF viruses with ultrasensitivity. OpTech’s commercial off-the-shelf handheld and battery-operated fluorometer will also be refitted with a new LED excitation source, red band pass emission filter, power adaptor for military vehicles, coupler to a PDA or small laptop, and more user friendly firmware. All assay engineering changes, protocols and formulations will be documented in detail in order to seek FDA approval.

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

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