Handheld FRET-Aptamer Sensor for CB Detection | Operational Technologies Corporation

General Description
The Handheld Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-DNA Aptamer Sensor is a highly mobile, rugged, waterproof, and 4X AA battery-operated sensor for specific CB agents. The system enables one-step homogeneous or lights on FRET assays with the affinity (sensitivity), specificity, and reproducibility of DNA aptamers (instead of antibodies) using lyophilized intrachain or competitive FRET-aptamer reagents with long shelf-lives in capped plastic cuvettes. The handheld fluorometer OEM is Turner Biosystems or Promega and OpTech produces the patented FRET-aptamer reagents (US Patent No. 7,906,280).

Technical Description
The best way to describe the FRET-aptamer technology is for interested parties to review the following publications:

1) J. Fluorescence. 22:915-924, 2012.
2) Biosensors & Bioelectronics. 31:240-243, 2012.
3) J. Fluorescence. 21:2021-2033, 2011.
4) J. Fluorescence, 20:1211-1223, 2010.
5) J. Molecular Recognition. 22:197-204, 2009.
6) J. Biomolecular Techniques. 19:311-321, 2008.
7) J. Fluorescence. 18:867-876, 2008.
8) J. Biomolecular Techniques. 19:109-115, 2008.
9) Combinational Chemistry & High Throughput Screening. 14:622-630, 2011.

Evaluation Criteria

THROUGHPUT:

Between 2 and 15 minutes for detection
Multiple samples, single tests/sample per run
349-96 samples every 2 hours
The system could be adapted to a fully automated system with some effort
Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays
0-1 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
3 components
Less than 5 minutes is required for set-up
1-2 steps are required for detection

LOGISTICS:

Very brief (minutes-hours) training and minimal technical skills
Approximately the size of a soda can
Between 1 and 5 kg
This system is not capable of transmitting data
System or device uses batteries
4-8 hours battery life

OPERATIONS:

Can be used from 4°C to 37°C
Components must be stored at room temperature (27°C)
Device must be used in a temperature stable, dry environment for optimum performance
Between 1 to 3 years shelf life
Greater than 10 years expected life
The system could be adapted to a fully autonomous system with significant effort
The system software is closed and not available for modification
The system hardware is open but modification requires licensing

DETECTION:

Possible the system could receive 510K clearance, no current efforts at this time
Possible the system could receive FDA approval, no current efforts at this time
Greater than 250 µL
Good specificity. Consistently low level of false alarms (2-5%)
100-1,000 PFU per mL
1-10 ng per mL
Spore lysis not necessary for detection by system
1 ppb – 1 ppm