Novel Instrument Identifies Biologic Agents

A novel instrument that can detect and identify three types of biologic agents is designed to help protect against bioterrorist attacks.

The new instrument serves as a kind of biologic smoke detector, according to a study published in the January 1, 2005, issue of Analytical Chemistry. The stand-alone detector would continuously monitor the air and provide an early warning to help authorities limit exposure and begin treating victims before they show signs of full-blown infection.

The instrument, called the autonomous pathogen detection system, or APDS, runs the same tests that molecular biologists carry out in a laboratory to detect biologic agents. The APDS is capable of detecting and identifying three types of biologic agents: bacteria, viruses, and toxins, including such threats as anthrax, plague, and botulinum toxin. The instrument was developed by researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL, Livermore, CA, USA).

LLNL has been working on the instrument since 1995, but this new version is a step-change in capability, according to John Dzenitis, Ph.D., a chemical engineer at LLNL and corresponding author of the study. Now, in addition to simultaneously testing for multiple agents with protein antibodies, the APDS also confirms positive results with a DNA test specific for the agent. No other field system has two independent molecular biology tests. Having two tests further reduces the probability of a false alarm.






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Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory