Speeding Detection of Biologic Agents

Researchers are developing a faster technique to detect dangerous pathogens in the event of a biologic attack in order to speed the treatment of victims.

The grant, from Schott North America (Elmsford,, NY, USA), coupled with a U.S.1$ million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense, will be used by the University of Scranton (PA, USA) to develop an automated, low-cost, highly sensitive tool to rapidly diagnose patients in the event of a bioterrorism attack.

The system involves a glass microarray platform divided into 96 sections. A sample containing DNA from biologic agents, such as bacteria or spores, is placed into each of the sections so that 96 tests can be run simultaneously to identify pathogens present in samples. This multiplexed technology allows each of the 96 tests to potentially diagnose up to 2,000 pathogens.

Current tests can identify only a single pathogen and take 14-72 hours or longer. This delay decreases the medical community's response time in treating patients who have been exposed to potentially deadly pathogens in the event of a biologic attack. The multiplexed microarray platform would significantly reduce the identification and confirmation time, and enable screening of biologic samples for multiple pathogens.

Stephen Krenitsky, vice president and site manager, Optics for Devices, Schott North America, observed, "By combining the University of Scranton's genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatics capabilities with Schott's advanced multiplexed bioarray platform, this research grant will create a synergistic environment for developing high throughput pathogenic sensors.”




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