Biological & Chemical Warfare Agent Detection

1. Chemical Sensors Research Group (CSRG) is working on various types of chemical sensors. This web site, which is also available in CD version, presents selected areas of our activity. Our intention was to gather some texts, figures and tutorials on ion selective electrodes (ISE), ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFET) and fiber optic chemical sensors (abbreviated as OPTO, however more common is FOCS). The figures and slides were created in our group using results of experiments or drawings of the sensors. Sometimes pictures (e.g. presenting equipment) were downloaded from the internet.

http://www.ch.pw.edu.pl/~dybko/csrg/index2_new.html

2. Sensing chemical or biological warfare agents
The concentration of GM₁ ganglioside can determine the number of points of attachment between cholera toxin and the surface. The ability of GM₁ to diffuse in this biomimetic membrane maximizes the interaction. Attachment at multiple sites results in slower dissociation kinetics and higher apparent affinity.

http://www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/biomat/Projects/warfare.html

3. Biological warfare, bioterrorism, biodefence and the biological and toxin weapons convention (Edgar J. DaSilva)
Tissue-based biosensors provide reliable alerts and assessments of human health risks in counteracting bioterrorism and biowarfare. Comprised of multicellular assemblies, and wide-ranging antibody templates, such sensors detect. and predict physiological consequences arising from biological agents that have not been fingerprinted nor identified at the molecular level. Alerts and assessments are made through the use of reporting molecules that express themselves through the phenomena of luminescence, fluorescence, etc. (Table 4 a, b, c).

Biosensors, using fibre optic or electrochemical devices, have been developed for detecting micro-organisms in clinical, food technology, and military applications (King et al, 1999; Mulchandani et al, 1999). An immunosensor is used for the detection of Candida albicans (Muramatsu et al, 1986). Bacillus anthracis, and bacteria in culture are detected by optical sensors (Swenson, 1992). In addition, several systems have been developed in the USA to detect biological weapons. Generic and polyvalent immunosensors have been devised to detect biological agents that cause metabolic damage and whose antigenic structure has been specifically genetically altered to avoid detection by antibody-based detection systems. Other biodetection systems functioning as early warning/alert systems involve the detection of biological particle densities by laser eyes and electronic noses with incorporated alarms. Emphasis in such systems is less on the identity of the biological agent, and more on the early warning aspect which constitutes an effective arm in counteracting the threat of bioterrorism in daily and routine peace time environments (Schutz et al, 1999).

Such electronic noses result from a combination of neural informational networks with either chemical or biological sensor arrays and miniaturised spectral meters. Compact, automated and portable, electronic noses offer inexpensive on-the-spot real-time analysis of toxic fuel and gas mixtures, and identification of toxic wastes, household gas, air quality, and body odours (Wu, 1999).

The two quotes above taken from a good paper on the subject as a whole at

http://www.ejb.org/content/vol2/issue3/full/2/

Edgar J. DaSilva e.dasilva@unesco.org

4. Large-Scale Production Contracts for Chemical and Biological Warfare Agent Detectors Intensifies Competition Reports Frost & Sullivan

http://www.frost.com/verity/press/aerospace_defense/pr725916.htm

5. BIOAGENT CHIP A sensor to detect a biological warfare attack in seconds

http://www.sciam.com/2000/0300issue/0300techbus4.html

6. Catching the bug before it kills

http://www.zdnet.com/enterprise/stories/main/0,10228,2671596,00.html

7. Advanced Materials and Optical Systems for Chemical and Biological Detection

http://www.spie.org/web/meetings/programs/pe99/confs/3858.html

8. Super Cell Sensors

http://www.accessexcellence.com/WN/SUA12/pebble398.html

9. University of Chicago chemist helps mesh computers, biological systems

http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/00/000920.biomems.shtml

10. In vitro selection of DNA aptamers to anthrax spores with electrochemiluminescence detection

http://147.46.94.112/journal/sej/j_b/data/bb990531v14i52.pdf

11. King, KD, et al. 1999. "Detecting Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Using an Automated Fiber Optic Biosensor." Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 14: 163-170. Describes the newest biological rapid detection system, MANTIS, being developed by the U.S. Navy.

12. Countering The Bio Threat
Recent Breakthroughs Give US Forces A Limited Ability To Detect Deadly Biological Warfare Agents

http://www.specialoperations.com/Literature/AFJI/BWA.htm

13. M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent

http://www.sbccom.apgea.army.mil/products/m21train.htm

14. M22 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm

http://www.sbccom.apgea.army.mil/products/m22.htm

15. Detection and Measurement of Chemical Agents

http://www.nap.edu/html/terrorism/ch4.html

Concerning specific chemicals and bioagents, the availability of specific sensors is vague. There are many companies represented in this reference list, yet sensors for specific threats are elusive. However, the list of companies itself provides essential product and contact information. This list is followed by a supplemental list which gives the names of particular technologies and their respective companies, many of which are relevant to us.

· Bruker Daltonics, Inc.

Instruments for detection of chemical and biological compounds.

· Computing Devices Canada, Ltd. (CDC);

Terrorist use of biological agents is a serious and growing threat facing many nations. Rapid detection, identification and early warning are key features of an integrated approach to defending against this threat. 4WARN is your solution.

· Veridian

Nuclear/Chemical/Biological Defense

· Intellitec

Intellitec has produced over 38,000 M8A1 Point Chemical Detection Systems for the US Armed Forces and 25 foreign customers since 1963. Intellitec's ICAM(Improved Chemical Agent Monitor) is a lightweight, handheld monitor that detects low levels of nerve and mustard agents and is easily updated for new chemical threats.

· Electro-Optics Organization (EOO), Inc.

BIOLOGICAL AGENT SENSOR As became clear during and after the Gulf War, chemical and biological (chem/bio) weapons are a great threat to both civilians and armed forces.
info@eooinc.com

· Environmental Technologies Group, Inc. (ETG);

The BD is an automatic biological agent detector developed for U.S. Army Chemical and Biological Defense
Command. The system is currently in production and is a key component of P3I Biological Integrated Detection
System (BIDS).
Marketing@EnvTech.com

Graseby Dynamics, Limited

· GRASEBY DYNAMICS - DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

CAM™ Chemical Agent Monitor - Graseby’s leading Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM™) is a hand held instrument to monitor nerve and blister agents and can be reprogrammed to meet further threats

Graseby Dynamics have extended their expertise into the biological agent detection market. Graseby Dynamics, with Hunting Engineering, EDS and DERA, have won two contracts with the UK MoD for a prototype and integrated biological detection system (PBDS and IBDS).
general@grasebydynamics.com

· Hunting Engineering, Ltd.

Integrated Biological Detection System (IBDS): The Integrated Biological Detection System is under development for the Ministry of Defence and will replace the BDS units currently in-Service.The system provides greatly enhanced ergonomics and advanced automation.

· IIT Research Institute;

IITRI is a premier research laboratory involved in the development and evaluation of novel technologies for detection, decontamination, and demilitarization of chemical and biological warfare materials. Under a bailment agreement with the U.S. Army, the Chemical Technology Department operates a surety laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation.

· EIC Laboratories;

Chemical Sensors

· Lockheed Martin Librascope;

Since 1993, Librascope has won three major contracts (MICAD, AICPS and JBPDS) with the U. S. Army Chemical/Biological Defense Command, Edgewood Area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Librascope has on-going efforts in several other key NBC Defense programs with U. S. Army and Joint Service Applications. Several of our NBC Defense System products are also being evaluated for transition into the civilian arena, to be used for environmental monitoring, detection, reporting, and collective protection.

· Orbital Sciences Corporation

We are applying our sensor expertise to help the U.S. Government develop critical biological and chemical agent detection technologies. As industrial partner to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), we are building the first pre-production units of the Chemical and Biological Mass Spectrometer.

Sawtek Incorporated;

· Scientific Instrumentation, Ltd.

CADS II is an advanced, field portable, chemical agent
warfare detection system developed for the CF to
remotely detect and identify chemical warfare agents.
s.i.l@sil.sk.ca

· Syagen Technology;

Syagen has developed the most advanced, easy-to-operate detection systems for counterterrorism (chemical agents and explosives) and other applications requiring real-time, ultrasensitive chemical analysis of complex mixtures. Syagen's flagship detection system employs an autosampler and a photoionization (PI) source that enables reliable detection of targeted compounds in potentially complex mixtures (figure).
info@syagen.com

Supplementary List of Chemical and Biological warfare detection systems and companies.

Chemical Agent Detection (Taken from http://www.nap.edu/html/terrorism/app_b.html)

ACAMS Automated Continuous Air Monitoring System	ABB Process Analytics
	Remote molecular air quality monitoring system (FTIR)	AIL Diversified Products Group
	Nerve agent vapor detector (NAVD)	Anachemia Canada Inc.
	Paper, Chemical Agent Liquid Detectors, 3-WAY	Anachemia Canada Inc.
	C2 chemical agent detector kit	Anachemia Canada Inc.
	CUB 800	Bear Instruments, Inc.
	Infrared Detector for Gas Chromatograph	Biorad, Digilab Division
	Transform spectrometer	Bomem Inc.
	TYPE 1306 Toxic-Gas Monitor	Bruel and Kjaer Instruments
	TYPE 1302 multigas monitor	Bruel and Kjaer Instruments
	Rapid Alarm and Identification Device (AID-1)	Bruel and Kjaer Instruments
	Chemical Surety Chamber and Lab	Calspan Corporation
	Automatic Liquid Agent Detector (ALAD) System	Calspan Corporation
	Miniature Chemical Agent Monitor (MINICAM)	CMS Research Corporation
	Detector tubes	Draeger
	Continuous Chemical Agents Sensor (CHASE)	Elbit-Ati Instruments
	4100 vapor detector	Electronic Sensor Technology
	Improved Chemical Agent Monitor (ICAM-APD)	Environmental Technologies
	APD2000 Hand-held CW/radiation detector/monitor	Environmental Technologies
	Miniature Chemical Agent Detector (ICAD)	Environmental Technologies
	Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM)	Environmental Technologies
	Detalac Automatic Detector of Nerve gas agents	Giat Industries
	Environmental Vapor Monitor (EVM)	Graseby Dynamics Ltd (UK)
	Point Chemical Agent Detector (GID-3)	Graseby Dynamics
	HP 6890 Plus Gas Chromatograph	Hewlett-Packard
	HP 2350 Atomic Emission Detector	Hewlett-Packard Co.
	HP 5973 MSD	Hewlett-Packard Co.
	Improved Chemical Agent Monitor (ICAM)	Intellitec (Florida)
	M8A1 automatic chemical agent alarm (M43A1 and M42 )	Intellitec (Florida)
	AN/KAS-1 Chemical Warfare Directional Detector (standoff)	Intellitec (Florida)
	M21 Remote sensing chemical agent alarm (RSCAAL)	Intellitec (Florida)
	Nerve Agent Immobilized-Enzyme Alarm and Detector (NAIAD)	Jasmin Simtec Limited
	SAW MiniCAD miniature chemical agent detector	Microsensor Systems, Inc.
	CW Sentry	Microsensor Systems, Inc.,
	RCAD II Monitor	Microsensor Systems, Inc.,
	EKHO	Mine Safety Appliances Co.
	Field MINICAMS (FM-2000)	OI Analytical, Inc
	Phemtochem Ion Mobility Spectrometer, Model 110	PCP Inc.
	API 365	Pe Sciex
	Microchromatography	PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc.
	AP2C Family of Chemical Agent Detectors	Proengin S.A. (France)
	MINIRAE Plus	Rae Systems
	Direct-Reading Tubes	Sensidyne
	M90D1-A Chemical detector	Sensor Application Inc (VA)
	Scentograph Plus II with AID/RCD Detector	Sentex Systems Inc.
	Scentoscreen (Gas Chromatograph) with Argon Ionization Detector	Sentex Systems Inc.
	SCX-20 VOC Monitor	Spectrex Corporation
	Dual Flame Photometric Detector	SRI Instruments Inc.
	TestMate portable blood cholinesterase test system	TestMate, Inc
	Miran Sapphire	The Foxboro Company
	Chemical agent point detection system for ships (CPDS)	Tradeways Ltd (MD)
	M8 Chemical detection paper	Tradeways Ltd (VA)
	M9 Chemical detection paper	Tradeways Ltd (VA)
	M256A1 Chemical detection kit	Truetech Inc (NY)
	M272 Water testing kit	Truetech Inc (NY)
	M18A2 Chemical detection kit	Truetech, Inc (NY)
	SATURN	Varian Chromatography Systems
	Portable GC/MS systems: SpectraTrak and CADIS	Viking Instruments Corporation
	Mass-Spec-On-Chip (MSOC)	Westinghouse Electronic System
Field testing
	FBI Fly-away Laboratory	Unknown
	Nonintrusive interrogation of closed containers	Battelle Columbus
	CB mass spectrometer (CBMS I)	Bruker Instruments
	Air Transportable Modular Analytical Laboratory (MODLAB)	CBDCOM
	XM22 Advanced Chemical Agent Detector/alarm (ACADA)	ERDEC/Nowack
	SOF Chemical Agent Detector w low false positives	Graseby
	GI-MINI Miniature Chemical Warfare Detector/Monitor	Graseby Dynamics
	Rugged, portable GC-MS for CW agents	LLNL
	Multipurpose integrated chemical agent alarm (MICAD)	Lockheed Martin
	Shipboard Automatic Liquid Agent Detector (SALAD)	Naval Sea Systems Command
	Improved Point Detection System (IPDS)	Naval Sea Systems Command
	SAWRHINO (nerve and vesicant agents)	NRL/Veneskey
	LabChip applications to ChE and immunoassays of selected CBW agents	ORNL/Ramsey
	Bruker Ims Point Chemical Detector (PCD)	Bruker Saxonia Analytik (Germany)
	Minitube Air Sampling System (MASS)	Canadian Centre for Advanced Instrumentation
	Chemical Agent Detection System II (CADS II)	Scientific Instrumentation Limited (Canada)
	Laser Remote Detector	Research Institute 070 BRNO (Czech Republic)
	MARK 1 Detector Kit Chemical Agent Residual Vapor (RVD)	Richmond Packaging (UK) Limited
U.S. Government
	Contract Labs	EPA Envir Response Team Center (NJ) (Lafornara)
	TAGA 6000E MS/MS-triple quadrapole	EPA Envir Response Team Center (NJ) (Lafornara)
	Mobile lab	EPA Envir Response Team Center (NJ) (Lafornara)
Laboratory Research
	Canine detection of low level CW	Auburn: Lackland AFB
	Wearable dosimeter indicating cumulative exposure	CWC Treaty Lab
	Miniature GC-IMS	DARPA (Technispan) G. Spangler
	Joint service lightweight standoff chemical agent detector (JSLSCAD)	JPOBD
	Joint Service Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD)	JPOCD
	Joint Service Chemical Warning and Identification LIDAR	JPOCD
	Miniaturized liquid chromatography	M.D. Porter, Iowa StateUniversity
	Micro-mass spectrometer for containment gas monitoring	M.P. Sinha, Imaging and Spectrometry Systems Technology
	Neuron Chip	NRL/F. Ligler
	Micro unmanned chemical and biological sensor vehicle	NRL/R. Foch
	CB mass spectrometer Block 2 (CBMS II)	Oak Ridge National Laboratory
	Advanced Ion-trap mass spectrometry	ORNL/S. McLuckey
	Capillary electrophoretic methods for monitoring spacecraft water	NASA/R.L. Sauer
	Enzyme-FET	Sandia National Lab/Thomas
	Parallel Micro Separations-based Detection (PMSD)	SNL/Vitko
	Noninvasive methemoglobin measurement	USAMRMC
Military
	GS/MS detection of chlorovinylarsenous acid (from Lewisite) in urine	USAMRMC
	GS/MS detection of phosphonic acids (from GA,VX) in patient fluids	USAMRMC

Biological Agent Detection (taken from http://www.nap.edu/html/terrorism/app_b.html)

LIfeChip High-Density Nucleic Acid Microarrays	Affymetrix, Inc.
	Profile 1 Bioluminometer	Environmental Technologies
	SMART Biological Warfare Detection Tickets	Environmental Technologies
	Biological integrated detection system (BIDS)	Environmental Technologies
	LightCycler (LC32) Thermal cycler microvolume fluorimeter	Idaho Technology
	SpinCon High-volume Portable Air Sampler	Midwest Research Institute (MRI)
Field tests
	PathoSeq bacterial gene sequence library	Affymetrix, Inc.
	Modification of NMRI handheld BW tickets	Battelle/NMRI
	CB mass spectrometer (CBMS I)	Bruker Instruments
	Biological Microchips for Field Analysis of Microorganisms	DARPA (ANL, A. Mirzabekov)
	Mini Mass Spectrometer for Biodetection	DARPA (JHU/APL, W. Bryden)
	16S Ribosomal RNA Hierarchical Analysis	DARPA (Northwestern U.) Stabl
	Miniature Environmental Air Sampler Using Aerogel	DARPA (PSR, Inc.) UVA, C. Daitch, P. Norris
	Hierarchical Analysis of Unknown Biological Samples	Duke Univ./Wilson
	Simultaneous immunoPCR and genomic PCR	DuPont/Ebersole
	ALERT Lateral Flow Immunoassay Tickets	ERDEC/Emanuel and Valdes
	Integrated Virus Detection System	ERDEC/Wick and EnVirion, L.C.
	High speed chemical analysis of DNA by TOF-MS	GeneTrace Systems
	Interim biological agent detector (IBAD)	JPOBD
	Compact DNA-based Bacterial Identification by Flow Cytometry	LANL/B. Marrone
	Antibiotic Resistance Detection	LANL/Jackson; N. Ariz. U./Keil
	BW Genetic Sequencing	LANL/Jackson; LLNL; Duke/Wilson
	Self-assembling thin film biosensors	LBNL/Charych
	Improved methods to isolate and process DNA from environmental samples	LLNL/Carrano; LANL/Kuske
	Miniature PCR-based Bioagent Detector	LLNL/Marriella
	Marine Corps Unit Biological Detector	MARCORSYSCOM/Bryce
	DNA Dipstick	Molecular Tools, Inc./Boyce-Jacino
	Handheld Assay SMART Tickets	NMRI/Churilla
	Automated Programmable	Nanogen, Inc. Electronic Matrix APEX microchip
	Rapid PCR assays for BW detection	NMRI/Long and identification
	Single Particle Fluoresence Counter	NRL/Eversole
	Anaylate 2000 Fiberoptic waveguide biodetector	NRL/Ligler
	LabChip applications to ChE and immunoassays of selected CBW agents	ORNL/Ramsey
	Long range biological standoff detection system (XM94)	Schwartz Electro-Optics
	Chem/Bio Sentry System	Tech Escort Unit
Laboratory
	FBI Fly-away Laboratory	Unknown
	Liquid phase piezoelectric immunosensors	A.A. Suleiman, Southern U.
	Joint biological point detection system (JBPDS)	CBDCOM
	Nanoscale DNA	CuraGen Corp.
	Advanced Diagnostics Program	DARPA
	Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Borne Hybrid Optical Sensor	DARPA (Electro-Optics, Inc.) P. Titterton
	Novel Biodetection by Spore-specific Phosphorescen	DARPA (IIT Research Inst.) K. Rajan
	Next Generation, Integrated Biosensor Research	DARPA (Pacific Sierra) UVA, C. Daitch, P. Norris
	Smart Aerogels for Application in Biowarfare	DARPA (PSR, Inc.) UVA, C. Daitch, P. Norris
	Upconverting Phosphor Flow Cytometer	DARPA (SRI, J. Carrico)
	Upconverting Phosphor Compact	DARPA (SRI, J. Carrico) Handheld Biosensor
	Novel Antibody Reagents (Immunoplastics) for Sensors	DARPA (U. of TX, G. Georgiou)
	Structure-based Ligands to Capture Microorganisms	DARPA (U. of Ala., Birm)L. DeLucas
	Capture of Pathogenic Microbes	DARPA (Utah State U.) L. Powers
	Pathogenic Microbe Sensor Technology	DARPA (Utah State U.) B. Weimer
	Rapid methods of detecting BW agents on food	FDA; U. of Md.
	Rapid bacterial testing for spacecraft water	G.A. McFeters, Montana State U.
	Microbial monitoring based on quantitative PCR	G.H. Cassell, U. of Alabama, Birmingham
	MALDI-MS for identifying intact whole bacteria	Joint Inst Food Safety and Appl Nutrition/Musser
	Joint Biological Remote Early Warning System (JBREWS)	JPOBD
	Simultaneous monitoring of multiple bacteria in spacecraft	M.D. Eggers, Genometrix, Inc.
	IGEN PCR Biosensor Assay	NMRI/Churilla
	Recombinant antibodies for BW Agents	NMRI/Churilla
	DNA Detection via Current- Rectifying Oligonucleotides	Northwestern U./Mirkin
	Force Amplified Biological Sensor (FABS)	NRL/Colton
	A Multiplexed Immunosensor based on Lateral Force Microscopy	NRL/Gaber
	Automated Multiagent Sensor	NRL/Ligler
	Neuron Chip	NRL/Ligler
	Micro unmanned chemical and biological sensor vehicles	NRL/R.Foch
	CB mass spectrometer Block 2 (CBMS II)	Oak Ridge National Laboratory
	Recombinant antibodies specific to Bacillus anthracis spores	ONR/LLNL (Leighton)
	Advanced Ion-trap mass spectrometry	ORNL/McLuckey
	Bioaerosol Detector System based on Aerogel	Pacific-Sierra Research Corp
	UV Fluoresence Detection of BW Agents on Surfaces	Sandia NL/Thomas
	Parallel Micro Separations-based Detection (PMSD)	SNL/Vitko, Thomas
	Taqman PCR-based BW assays	USAMRIID
	Automated Nucleic Acid Extractor	USAMRIID/Xohox, Inc
	Deployable diagnostic kit for biowarfare agents	USAMRMC