The research is aimed toward the development of miniaturized portable biosensor systems that can rapidly and inexpensively detect pathogens that impact food, water, and biosecurity, such as E. coli and C. Parvum, B. anthracis, Y. pestis, as well as organisms such as Dengue virus.

Pathogenic organisms such as E. coli and C. parvum threaten our food and water safety. Similarly, organisms such as Dengue and Norwalk virus are important clinical analytes related to human health, especially in countries of the developing world. Organisms such as B. anthracis and Y. pestis are serious threats for our safety and security because they can be used as bioweapon material. The research is aimed toward the development of miniaturized portable biosensor systems that can detect these pathogens rapidly and inexpensively. These systems will allow the immediate detection of these pathogens in field, and will allow a very rapid response by first-aid providers, consumers, manufacturers and others, in contrast to current technology that often requires days or weeks to provide results. No commercial systems are currently available with the same criteria of specificity, sensitivity, speed, ease of use, and low costs.

Biosensors for pathogens such as E. coli, C. parvum, Dengue virus, B. anthracis, etc. have been developed that address issues related to specificity, speed of analysis, sensitivity, and cost. A molecular biological approach for the recognition of the pathogens is combined with engineering of microchannel systems in order to provide these bioanalytical microsystems. More specifically, genomic information from the organisms is used to design a specific detection approach that yields a highly specific detection, since the genome of each organism is unique. The microchannel systems are fabricated in the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility and allow the development of portable biosensors. A very good example is the C. parvum biosensor, which can detect as few as five oocysts in only four hours. Current technology requires about seven days of detection time, since water treatment plants have to send their sample to a testing lab and pay about $400 per analysis. This can be compared to an estimated $25 per analysis with the biosensor if carried out in the water treatment plant. Similarly, a biosensor for Dengue virus has been developed that can distinguish between all four serotypes. Current efforts move the sensor into the microbiosensor area in order to decrease the detection time from currently 4 hours to 1 hour (or less) and to move it to complete portability. This biosensor will find its application in the developing world.

Currently, no biosensor has been commercialized. However, three patents are published and two are pending. Also, beta-side testing is planned for C. parvum in New York State water treatment plants. Similarly, in collaboration with a company working together with the WHO, the Dengue virus biosensor will be applicable to nursing stations in the developing world. The biosensors will change the speed with which water treatment plants, nursing stations, and society can respond to biosecurity threats, unsafe food and water, and medical problems. More than 40 undergraduate students have been trained so far in independent research.

• Other USDA (e.g., Water Quality, Special Grants, NRI)
• Private/Other (e.g., unrestricted funds, commodity groups, foundations, companies)
• State or Municipal (e.g., NYSDAM)
• Other Federal non-USDA (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOA, DOD)

• Dr. Natalya Zaytseva
• Dr. Vasiliy Goral
• Barbara Leonard
• Dr. Katie Edwards
• Dr. Richard Durst