Apds, a Network-Ready, Broad Spectrum, Environmental Pathogen Detection System

Abstract

The Autonomous Pathogen Detection System (APDS) 1 is a stand-alone pathogen detection system capable of rapid, continuous, low cost environmental monitoring of multiple airborne biological threat agents. Its basic design comprises aerosol sampling, in-line sample preparation, multiplex detection and identification immunoassays, and orthogonal, multiplexed PCR (nucleic acid) amplification and detection. Its primary application is to warn civilians and emergency preparedness personnel of a terrorist attack, the same system could also have a role in protecting military personnel from biological warfare attacks. APDS instruments can be used at high profile events such as the Olympics for short-term, intensive monitoring or more permanent installation in major public buildings or transportation nodes. All of these units can be networked to a single command center so that a small group of technical experts could maintain and respond to alarms at any of the sensors. The APDS has several key advantages over competing technologies: (1) the ability to measure up to 100 different agents and controls in a single sample, (2) the flexibility and ease with which new bead-based assays can be developed and integrated into the system, (3) the presence of an orthogonal, real-time detection module for highly sensitive and selective nucleic acid amplification and detection, (4) the ability to use the same basic system components for multiple deployment architectures, and (5) the relatively low cost per assay (<$2 per 10-plex or $0.20 per assay) and minimal consumables.