Field Forward Detection Platform for High Consequence Toxins

High consequence toxins such as those included in the US Select Agent and Toxin list, have a propensity to be fatal to humans and most animals in low concentrations. These toxins are some of the deadliest chemicals known posing an ongoing public health threat. A remaining challenge for National Security programs is the availability of commercial, field-forward detection systems that are sensitive and reliable. Development of detection systems for these high consequence toxins would serve to reduce the public health risk to humans and animals, by providing an early warning, enabling countermeasures to be put into place before a more consequential event occurs. The proposed technology must meet the following performance objectives: The ability to detect a minimum of six high consequence toxins in an environmental sample Be fieldable for rapid detection Produce results within 1 hour Detection of toxins directly from environmental samples Minimal to no upfront sample preparation Per test costs for the multiplexed cartridges (or another format diagnostic) less than ~$100 (threshold) and ~$20 (objective) A reader cost of less than ~$1000 (threshold) and ~$200 (objective) Quantitative or qualitative results are acceptable Detection limit 10 parts per million (ppm)