Bioanalytical Chemistry, Biodefense, and Biodetection Systems
Research within PNNL's biodefense team is primarily focused on biodetection and bioforensics. Its research areas in biodetection include automated sample preparation for the trace detection of pathogens in complex samples, development of rapid methods for biodetection, development of new methods for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens and the development of approaches for the discovery and analysis of biosignatures for the detection of host response.
Research areas in bioforensics include:
- Effective sample collection and preservation methods.
- Sample preparation and extraction.
- Application of analytical methods.
- Integrated data analysis approaches for biological attribution.
PNNL Development: Biodetection Enabling Analyte Delivery System (Bioanalytical Chemistry and Biodefense)
First responders need a fast and accurate means to analyze contaminants released in closed environments, such as in subways. Rapid detection of biological threats requires more than a detector. BEADS, short for Biodetection Enabling Analyte Delivery System, was created by scientists at PNNL to fill the gap between dirty environmental samples containing potential biothreats and sensitive detectors requiring a purified cell, proteins or DNA. BEADS isolates bacteria, spores, viruses and their DNA from air, dirt or water samples. The technology is fully automated, so detectors can analyze samples and monitor for threats without requiring human intervention to manually prepare the samples. With BEADS sample preparation systems as a front-end technology, detectors can be deployed as unattended biothreat monitors. With funding from the U.S. Navy, BEADS is being developed to monitor for infectious diseases that may threaten military personnel; while the U.S. Department of Energy is further testing BEADS as a front-end technology for multiplexed biodetection units in homeland defense applications.
For more information, visit PNNL's Biological Sensors Web page.PNNL Development: MALDI—Chemical Signatures for Bioforensics (Biodetection Systems)
Currently under research and development at PNNL, MALDI Mass Spectrometry for Pathogen Identification will be an accurate and field portable system that fingerprints and identifies deadly pathogens.
The scientific analysis of biological evidence isn't just determining what something is—it's also learning how and where it was developed.
Researchers at PNNL want to determine how a biological sample was made. To do this, they are seeking clues, or markers, such as changes in the sample's metal and proteins.
As markers are identified and boundaries of each piece of information are defined, the researchers will integrate the data into a computational tool to help analyze the sample's possible origins. This extraction of analytical data is needed in the bioforensic field.
The research is being done for the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.