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The overall goal of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of an extended-life influenza detection system based on a novel hybrid sensing material. We will synthesize and characterize test substrates using a well-developed, catalytic process that allows tailoring of the material's surface to specifically bind whole influenza virus on contact. An optically active element in the material will transduce and amplify the binding events so that they are detectable to an inexpensive, portable device.
Non-Technical Summary- Influenza infection and pandemics occur rapidly in the millions of domestic animals that live in high density on farms. Monitoring each animal for disease is impractical and prohibitively expensive. However, culling and slaughtering entire flocks or herds once influenza is discovered stands as a tragic and costly consequence of current practices. Recent disturbing reports of bird-to-human influenza transmission in Asia, Europe, and possibly Africa only highlights the urgency to manage these rapidly mutating viruses. This project will determine the feasibility of an inexpensive and mass-produceable system that sensitively and specifically detects influenza virus presence with an optically active material. The sensing material is completely synthetic and more durable than existing protein-based immunoassay platforms. The catalytic process that generates this material can be upscaled to manufacture large quantities, thus lowering costs and increasing the economic incentive for widespread influenza monitoring.
<p> Approach- Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS) and the University of California, Irvine will demonstrate optically active substrates that have a recognition factor specific for influenza. This polymer factor mimics the host cell receptors that all influenza have evolved to recognize. In contaminated samples of mammalian saliva or avian feces, this recognition factor is specific to influenza alone. Detection of whole virus particles also bypasses the tedious, expensive process of genetic amplification, the current gold standard for influenza identification and unsuitable for point-of-care diagnostics. The whole virus particles binds to the active polymer surface, mechanically perturbing the underlying, optically active material. Each physical binding event is thus transduced and optically amplified. Very low concentration virus detection may be possible, leading to earlier disease diagnosis. IOS will design a simple, handheld device that detects changes in light polarization to monitor these single binding events. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a world leader in influenza research, will provide inactivated influenza samples, such as avian H5N1, to demonstrate proof of principle.