Monitoring Cells on Chip for Low False- Positive Bio-Chemical Pathogen Detection
Collaborators: P.Abshire, E.Smela, UMD; D.Wirtz, Johns Hopkins; R.Das, Walter Reed; and H.Mattoussi, Naval Research Laboratory
Monitor living cells on chip to reliably detect presence of bio-chemical pathogens. Reduce false alarms.
Simplest concept: If cells die, then a dangerous pathogen is present. Will monitor life function of cells.
More sophisticated approach: When a pathogen enters a cell there is a complex sequence of signaling events within the cell. By monitoring these intra-cellular events we can discriminate between different pathogens.
Patents: B.Shapiro, E.Smela, P.Abshire, D.Wirtz
“Cell Sensor Based Pathogen Detection”. Provisional patent filed by OTC office
Sept 2004. [Awarded Invention of the year in 2004 at the University of Maryland within
Physical Science category. One winner chosen in each of six categories by the Office of
Technology Commercialization and by an external review process.] Funding: NSF, DARPA,
Defense Intelligence Agency.
