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IBI Today: Environmental Detection
Today's Environment
The technology has been commercialized as BioFlash-E™ for the environmental detection of biothreat pathogens and consists of an integrated biological aerosol collector and identification system for rapid, sensitive detection and identification of biological threat agents. IBI has the only commercialized product that can detect pathogens in less than 5 minutes; 12 times faster than competitive products.
This system integrates biological aerosol sample collection and concentration functions and a novel cellular based bioluminescent immunoassay method for cost effective, near real-time biological detection and identification.
BioFlash-E™ has a wide range of markets and applications:
- Military force protection
- Stand-alone field portable biological detection and identification
- Facility security monitoring
- As an identifier component for integrated biological detection systems
- Urban biological monitoring and event monitoring
- Biological identifier for reconnaissance vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles and mobile labs
The patented, self-contained system consists of engineered biosensors expressing membrane bound, pathogen-specific antibodies and a calcium sensitive bioluminescent molecule. Cross-linking of the antibodies by even minute amounts of the specific pathogen leads to elevation of intracellular calcium and light emission. The amplified light output is detected using an easy-to-use luminometer.
Features:
Rapid, Ultra-Sensitive Test
- Ultra-sensitive detection of pathogens in less than 3 minutes.
- Combination of speed and sensitivity unmatched by current methods.
Easy To Use
- Simple protocol requiring minimal instrumentation and training.
Highly-Specific Detection
- Validated high-fidelity detection of pathogens.
- PCR-like signal amplification and sensitivity.
The combination of speed and sensitivity of the BioFlash-E™ system is unmatched by other methods such as immunoassays and PCR. Rapid immunoassays require at least 15 minutes, but have a much higher limit of detection. Ultra-fast PCR still requires at least 30 minutes of sample preparation, notwithstanding PCR contamination issues. See FIG. 1 Liquid Matrices and FIG. 2 Air Matrices.
Instrumentation:
The BioFlash-E™ Biological Identifier is a portable device occupying approximately one cubic foot and is simple to use.
The BioFlash-E™ Biological Identifier
The Bioflash-E™ system was licensed by IBI to PathSensors, Inc. in November 2010.
For more information contact PathSensors at www.pathsensors.com