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13th Annual International Detection Technologies 2008 Conference Documentation

Knowledge Foundation
November 1, 2008
SKU: CHDQ1935947

Abstract Table of Contents Related Reports

The thirteenth meeting in our Detection Technologies Conference Series - an internationally recognized meeting for experts in technologies for detection and identification of biological and chemical agents and threats, will explore the latest R&D developments as well as ready-to-market technologies and systems for:

New generation of biosensors / smart sensors
Rapid reliable continuous automated chemical and biodetection
Chemical and biological agents sampling / preparation / preconcentration / analysis
PCR and non PCR based detection techniques
Reagent and reagentless detection systems
Point-of-care pathogen detection
Field-ready devices: compatibility / reliability / scalability

Thursday, November 13, 2008
8:00 Registration, Exhibit Viewing/Poster Setup, Coffee and Pastries
8:50 Organizer’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00 Microarrays Meet Point of Care Diagnostics: Nick M. Cirino, PhD, CBSP, Director, Emerging Technologies Laboratory; Applied Genomic Technologies Core Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health; Point of Care Diagnostics will require inexpensive, sensitive, multiplexed, rapid assays with walk away hardware and automated results determination so nonscientific operators can understand the results of diagnosis. Low density hydrogel microarrays offer just such qualities and are being developed though collaboration of industry with public health laboratories. Several panels of tests are being developed for respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, and bioterrorist agents. Regulatory hurdles are being addressed during the development phase of these assays to expedite clinical approval.
9:30 Multiplexed Diagnostic Assays for Viral Pathogens of Cattle and Swine: Max V. Rasmussen, PhD, Biomedical Scientist, Biosciences Defense Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Diagnostic tests for animal pathogens support a healthy livestock industry and reliable food supply. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory developed multiplexed assays that simultaneously discriminate nucleic acid sequences of foreign and endemic viral pathogens affecting cattle and swine in a high-throughput format. The porcine-disease assay detects foot-and-mouth disease, vesicular stomatitis, swine vesicular disease, vesicular exanthema of swine and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. The bovine-disease assay detects foot-and-mouth disease, malignant catarrhal fever, rinderpest, bovine viral diarrhea, bluetongue, bovine papular stomatitis, psuedocowpox, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, vesicular stomatitis and bovine herpes mammalitis. Ongoing DHS-funded research includes enhancing sensitivity to FMDV, supporting the USDA-APHIS assay validation process and development of a FMDV sub-typing microarray.
10:00 Challenges for Sample Preparation and Pathogen Detection: Perspectives from the Food Industry: Daniel R. DeMarco, PhD, Senior Research Microbiologist, DuPont Qualicon; Many promising new sensor technologies purport to have potential applications in foodborne pathogen detection. Often there is little real understanding of the complexities and issues involved. In contrast to air or clinical samples which are relatively simple, food matrix presents a host of unique challenges that must be overcome before adoption of any particular sensing technology will occur in the food industry. These include but are not limited to; sensitivity requirements, sample size issues, matrix diversity, and presence of assay specific inhibitors. In addition, the food industry is notoriously low cost and often low tech in its historically preferred approaches to pathogen detection. This talk will highlight specific examples of the challenges faced for pathogen detection in foods, discuss some history and background of past and currently in-use technologies, and discuss future trends.
10:30 Networking Refreshment Break, Exhibit/Poster Viewing
11:00 Department of Homeland Security’s Lessons Learned Information Sharing Network: Leiloni Stainsby, Manager, Outreach and Partnerships, Lessons Learned Information Sharing, a Nationwide Program of the US Department of Homeland Security; Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS.gov) is the national, online network of lessons learned, best practices, and innovative ideas for the emergency response and homeland security communities. LLIS.gov helps to improve homeland security and emergency preparedness nationwide by providing Federal, State, and local responders with a wealth of information and front-line expertise on effective planning, training, and operational practices across homeland security functional areas. Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, LLIS.gov helps emergency response providers and homeland security officials prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. For more information and to register, visit www.LLIS.gov.
11:30 Rapid and On-Demand Detection and Characterization of Staphylococci Causing Bloodstream Infections: Yi-Wei Tang, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine, Director, Molecular Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Phenotypic methods take several days for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of staphylococcal isolates after gram-positive cocci in clusters (GPCC) are observed in positive blood cultures. We developed and validated a StaphPlex system for species-level identification of staphylococci, detection of genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), and antimicrobial resistance determinants of staphylococci. The StaphPlex system was compared to phenotypic methods for organism identification and antimicrobial resistance detection for positive blood culture specimens in which GPCC were observed. Among a total of 360 GPCC specimens, 273 (75.8%), 37 (10.3%), 37 (10.3%), 1 (0.3%), 3 (0.8%), and 9 (2.5%) were identified by StaphPlex as coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), or mixed infections of CoNS and MRSA, CoNS and MSSA, or nonstaphylococci, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 91.7%. The 277 CoNS-containing specimens were further identified to the species level with an overall accuracy of 80.1% compared to a combined reference identification. High very major errors were noticed when detection of aacA, ermA, ermC, tetM, and tetK was used to predict in vitro antimicrobial resistance, but relatively few major errors were observed when the absence of these genes was used to predict susceptibility. The StaphPlex system demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity when used for staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing and PVL detection. StaphPlex provides simultaneous staphylococcal identification and detection of PVL and antimicrobial resistance determinants within 5 h, significantly shortening the time needed for phenotypic identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
12:00 Systems Approach to Detection Assays: Achieving High Throughput and High Content: P. Scott White, PhD, Team Leader, Biosecurity Applications and Analysis, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory*; We have developed multiplexing strategies for a wide variety of applications that address key bottlenecks of existing approaches. The method uses a novel assay that combines fragment detection with genotyping that reverses the “PCR first” paradigm by performing detection and genotyping steps prior to signal amplification and detection. We will show results using mixed marker multiplexed assays that detect bacterial pathogens and characterize them for antibiotic resistance. This approach can be easily adapted to genetic screening or genotyping applications, among others.; *In collaboration with: A.Deshpande, J.Gans, Y.Kunde, Po-E Li, J.Song, M.Vuyisich, and M.Wolinsky
12:30 Luncheon Sponsored by Knowledge Foundation Technology Commercialization Alliance Membership Program
2:00 Immunochemical Technologies for Replacement of Rodent Bioassays in Sensitive Detection of Toxins in Foods: John Mark Carter, PhD, Research Leader, Foodborne Contaminants Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture*; Rapid sensitive assays for biothreat toxins that can be used to detect intentionally contaminated foods are now typically performed via bioassay in live mice. While bioassay provides essential data on bioavailability, animal models are technically, fiscally, and ethically challenging. Through careful application of state-of-the-art techniques for immunization and screening, we created new monoclonal antibody reagents (MAb) specific for detection of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). These MAbs bind BoNT so tightly that, in a sandwich ELISA, they are more sensitive than the rodent bioassay. These reagents are also useful for sample preparation and production of portable tests for field use. Through a CRADA with Safeguard Biosystems Corp., we used these MAbs to develop a simple “dipstick” assay that can detect BoNT in food at levels well below the human oral LD50. We also used the new MAbs to develop sample preparation methods based on immunomagnetic beads. In liquefied food extracts these beads rapidly and irreversibly bind all toxin present in a large sample. Sequestering the beads with a magnet effectively concentrates the toxin into a small volume suitable for laboratory testing. While the toxin is still bound to the beads, we can detect its highly specific peptidase activity using a fluorescence (FRET) based substrate, for detection of sublethal amounts of BoNT in foods.; * In collaboration with: L.Cheng, X.He, R.Rasooly, L.Stanker, and D.Brandon, USDA
2:30 SCODA Electrophoresis for Biomolecule Concentration: Andre Marziali, PhD, President and CSO, Boreal Genomics Inc., Canada; Boreal Genomics has developed a high performance instrument based on SCODA, a novel electrophoretic concentration technology, for efficiently purifying and concentrating biomolecules. Boreal’s technology offers unique advantages in biomolecule concentration including exceptional rejection of PCR inhibitors, an unparalleled ability to enrich for low abundance nucleic acids, and ability to length-select nucleic fragments. We present recent advances in the SCODA technology, including reduction of sample processing times to <10 min., and applications to protein concentration.
3:00 Sampling and Separation of Chemical Mixtures Prior to Detection for Chemical Agents and Explosives with Microfabricated Devices: R. Andrew McGill, PhD, Section Head, Functional Materials & Devices, Materials & Sensors Branch, Naval Research Laboratory; Abstract not available at time of printing. Please visit www.KnowledgeFoundation.com for the latest updates on the Program.
3:30 Networking Refreshment Break, Exhibit/Poster Viewing
4:00 A Low Power High Operational Field Strength, MEMS Fabricated FAIMS Device for Combined CWA and TIC Detection: Max D. Allsworth, PhD, NPI Manager, Owlstone Limited, United Kingdom; A MEMS fabricated FAIMS device has been developed that differs from current generation FAIMS systems in that it may be operated at higher Electric Field Strengths as a virtue of the reduced gap size of the ion channels. The higher Fields are attainable as a virtue of the increased breakdown voltage of air in a reduced gap. The use of reduced gap size ion channels also reduces demands on the RF drive electronics, enabling system miniaturization. Operation at higher Fields increases the analytical space and delivers resolution benefits for combined CWA and TIC detection.
4:00 Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds at ppb and sub-ppb Levels in Air and Liquid Headspaces: Tim Gibson, PhD, R&D Director, Scensive Technologies Ltd, United Kingdom; Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often used to identify potential threats including noxious or toxic chemicals and bacteria. Using an environmental chamber, different types of toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and a pesticide (eserine) have been volatilized and a chemical sensor array (Bloodhound®ST214) has been tested to see the limit of detection. Formaldehyde could be detected at 50ppt levels using a cyclone sampler and eserine could be detected directly at 100-200ppb levels. The sensor array has also been used to detect and identify bacteria by their characteristic odors.
4:30 High Efficiency Bio-Agent Recovery from Simulated Environmental Surfaces with Robust Liquid Rinse Vacuum Collection System: Jared G. Maughan, Vice President of Microbiology and Operations, Microbial-Vac Systems, Inc.; Personnel responsible for sampling must have the capabilities to confidently and safely collect samples that are accurately indicative of the surface contents within suspect contaminated zones. Currently utilized swipe/swab sampling methods are highly restricted in their abilities to effectively cover sufficient surface areas needed to accurately project contaminated area boundaries. The Microbial-Vac System is a novel wet-vacuum pathogen collection system designed to sample large surface areas with increased extraction efficiency. In this study, common environmental surfaces were inoculated and sampled with the M-Vac and swipe/swab methods. The M-Vac demonstrated significantly higher surface bacteria extraction than conventional sampling devices.; *In collaboration with: B.J.Bradley, K.J.Church
5:30 Selected Oral Poster Highlights/Discussion
6:00 End of Day One
Friday, November 14, 2008
8:15 Exhibit Viewing/Poster Setup, Coffee and Pastries
9:00 Pathogen Detection Using Multiplex Solid Phase PCR on Optically Encoded Beads: Robert C. Haushalter, PhD, President, Parallel Synthesis Technologies*; Parallume optical encoding technology, which allows thousands of optical codes to be resolved within a six-color emitter system, can be used for pathogen detection via multiplexed solid phase PCR (Mux-SPPCR) directly on the surface of thermally stable, optically encoded porous glass beads. By covalently tethering the pathogen-specific primers directly to the encoded bead only bead-bound amplicon is produced and each bead becomes an individual PCR reactor. The use of Mux-SPPCR for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens will be discussed.; *In collaboration with: B.Baxter, S.Xu, and Z.Wang
9:30 Development of the Double-Lock Probe for Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR of Short DNA Sequences: Wayne D. Frasch, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Arizona State University; A novel probe is reported capable of detecting and quantifying short DNA sequences by qRT-PCR. This Double-Lock probe uses a modified padlock probe to hybridize target via 20mers at each of the 3’ and 5’ ends and contains a restriction site, a PCR primer site, and a TaqMan MGB reporter site. The hybridized probe is first circularized by ligation, then cut at the restriction site to create linear DNA that can be used for qRT-PCR. This probe combines excellent sensitivity and specificity for multiplex qRT-PCR and is ideal for gene expression analysis, STR and SNP detection, and for clinical diagnoses.
10:00 A Real Time Neuraminidase Activity Assay for Detection of Influenza Virus Infection and Drug Resistance: X. James Li, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Cellex, Inc.; Influenza viral neuraminidase plays an essential role in the life cycle of influenza virus and is a target for therapeutics and diagnostics. Two neuraminidase inhibitors - zanamivir and particularly oseltamivir - are the current mainstay of pharmacological intervention during an influenza epidemic and, if happened, a pandemic. We describe a novel biochemiluminescence assay, which exhibits prolonged period of signal emission (>60 minutes), allows real time quantitation of influenza viral neuraminidase activity, is highly sensitive, uses simple operation procedure, and is suitable for diagnosis and large scale antiviral drug resistance surveillance.
10:30 Networking Refreshment Break, Exhibit/Poster Viewing
11:00 Molecular Target Discovery for Application in Nucleic Acid Based Diagnostics for Pathogens.: Thomas Barry, PhD, R&D Principal Investigator, Molecular Diagnostics Research Group (MDRG), National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Ireland; We have developed a suite of platform technologies, based on proprietary nucleic acid sequence targets, for the detection and identification of bacteria and fungi. These target technologies can be applied in a wide variety of nucleic acid-based test formats. They have been commercialised through licensing agreements and co-development collaborations with major international diagnostics companies. Currently, the group is working on a 4 year collaborative R+D project with Beckman Coulter Inc. to develop molecular diagnostics for clinically relevant bacterial and fungal pathogens.
11:30 Rapid Nucleic Acid Diagnostics for the Detection of Microorganisms: Andrew P. Miller, PhD, CEO, Ionian Technologies, Inc.; Ionian’s rapid isothermal DNA and RNA amplification and detection technologies allow for unparalleled detection of bacterial and viral pathogens in 5-10 minutes. The sensitivity and specificity of DNA/RNA amplification provide significantly improved performance relative to immunoassays, allowing for detection of less than 50 genome equivalents. Results can be read-out with a variety of methods, including fluorescent and lateral flow approaches. Our detection technology combined with a simple heating/detection unit provides nucleic acid testing in a simple point-of-care format. In addition to the POC opportunities, Ionian is also commercializing assays for biothreat detection, agriculture, food safety, and environmental applications.
12:00 Simple, Rapid Visual Indicator of Microbial Contamination: Stephanie M. Martin, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Kimberly-Clark Corporation has identified a dye with a unique ability to rapidly decolorize upon exposure to both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, exhibiting a change from blue to colorless in seconds to minutes. The dye represents an extremely versatile detection platform, as it can be applied onto numerous substrates or used in solution as an indicator spray. It may also offer clinical benefit as a diagnostic aid by rapidly distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections. This talk aims to describe this new to the world technology in greater detail.
12:30 Lunch on Your Own
2:00 Novel Labeless, Immunosensor Platform Technology: Paul A. Millner, PhD, Biosensors and Biocatalysis Group Leader, IMSB, Faculty of Biological Sciences University of Leeds, United Kingdom*; Affinity based biosensors are of significant interest since the range of potential targets is virtually limitless and the EU project ELISHA has been successful in demonstrating labeless, electrochemical immunosensor detection of over 15 different target analytes, including viruses. The ELISHA platform can be thought of as an enabling technology, where inclusion of any affinity reagent confers the specificity of that reagent. Antibodies have been demonstrated in the main, however other binding proteins and calixarenes have also been shown to give specific responses. The ELISHA platform is being commercialized by a new spin-out company, ELISHA Systems Ltd (ESL).; *In collaboration with: Tim Gibson, ELISHA Systems Ltd.
2:30 Faster Than Fast: A 1D Solid Phase Capture Immuno Array Format: Tom A. Beumer, PhD, Senior Staff Scientist, bioMerieux BV, Netherlands; A measurement concept for a solid phase capture (immuno) assay array was developed that is based on a droplet of limited size containing sample and label that periodically moves over a fixed trajectory of considerably larger dimensions. On this trajectory one or more specific capture zones can be defined, on which the particle label is captured in case the molecule of interest is present in the reaction mix. The more often the droplet passes the capture zone, the more particles are captured, thus enabling real time visual or instrumental detection. Reagents, like Eg the label and buffer components - can be stored in the same device. This technology makes optimum use of available molecules and virtually removes diffusion limitation in the binding process, making the concept very fast.
3:00 Enhanced Europium Nanoparticle-Based Immunoassay for Sensitive Detection of Anthrax Toxin: Shixing Tang, MD, PhD, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, DETTD/OBRR/CBER, Food and Drug Administration*; A europium (Eu+ ) nanoparticle (NP)-based immunoassay (ENIA) has been developed and exhibited approximately 100-fold more sensitive than ELISA in detecting anthrax toxin. No false positive results were observed in normal serum samples, mouse plasma without PA, or plasma samples collected from mice injected with anthrax lethal factor (LF) or edema factor (EF) alone. For detection of plasma samples spiked with PA, the detection sensitivity for ENIA and ELISA was 100% (11/11) and 36.4% (4/11), respectively. Anthrax toxin can be detected in toxin injected or B. antharacis infected mice plasma samples. These results indicate that the universal labeling technology based on Eu+ NP and its application may provide a rapid and sensitive testing platform for clinical diagnosis and laboratory research.; *In collaboration with: J.Zhao, I.K.Hewlett, FDA; M.Moayeri, S.H.Leppla, Z.Chen, R.H.Purcell, NIAID/NIH; Harri Harma, University of Turku, Finland
3:30 Networking Refreshment Break, Exhibit/Poster Viewing
4:00 Advanced Capability for Detection and Discrimination of Chemical and Biological Threat Agents: Henry H. Hogue, Associate Technical Fellow, DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, Inc.; Among the detector technologies we have developed for our remote sensing and astrophysics customers are cryogenic silicon Blocked Impurity Band (BIB) detectors. These are used for 10 to 30 µm (10 to 30 THz) direct infrared imaging and spectroscopy from ground, airborne and space platforms. In partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center we are broadening the infrared coverage of these detectors into the far infrared, 10 to 100 µm (3 to 30 THz), where the infrared absorption signatures of many large molecules are found. We are also adapting these detectors into a light trapping geometry for use with compact Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTS) in Earth science studies from orbit and for a highly stable standard radiometer at the National Institute for Standards and Technology. The light-trapping FTS detector element is designed to have QE>0.999, linearity >0.999, and bandwidth >100 kHz. We are developing plans for commercial application of this advanced detection capability, including the need for highly sensitive, highly selective laboratory and field-deployable FTS instruments for chemical and biological threat agents.
4:30 Rapid and Specific CBWA Detection and Identification: Potentiometric Sensing and Monitoring of Bacterial Spore - Strain Recognition: Janet Y. Zhou, PhD, and Kalle Levon, PhD, Dept of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Polytechnic University*; Potentiometry is the field of electroanalytical chemistry in which potential is measured under the conditions of no current flow. The outer face of macromolecular biological assemblies such as viruses or bacteria carries charged or chargeable groups, such as glycoproteins or lipids. The recognition elements for Bacillus spores, such as peptides, lectins, which have been shown to bind selectively to different Bacillus spores, were immobilized to the electrode surface by polysiloxane film immobilization (PFI). Therefore, the charge compensation and hydrophobic interaction between ligands and Bacillus spores could be observed and monitored by potentiometry. The recognition mechanism has been thoroughly studied, and corresponding potentiometric sensors were developed. The resulting portable sensor device could be used in real-time to detect bacterial spores with very low limit of detection (a few spore per 100 ml solution) without any labeling, and also differentiate the same bacterial spores with different strain.; *In collaboration with: C.L.Turnbough, U. Alabama at Birmingham.
5:00 Selected Oral Poster Highlights/Discussion/ Concluding Remarks
5:30 End of Conference

13th Annual International Detection Technologies 2008 Conference Documentation

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