9520526 Neuman The goal of this research is to develop inexpensive instrumentation for the detection of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in the patients home. This instrumentation is to be based upon new sensor technology resulting from research at the Duke-North Carolina Engineering Research Center for Emerging Cardiovascular Technologies support by the National Science Foundation. The investigator's goal is to develop low-cost microelectronics-based biomedical sensors for accurate detecting of bacterial vaginosis with an intravaginal probe. A tampon-like disposable probe will be developed in two forms-one with electrical connection to a linear eternal electronic readout (a microcomputer) for the doctor's office and another self contained unit (battery operated) for home testing for BV infections. The multi-institutional and multidisciplinary research team is quite impressive and the impressive investigators have extensive experience in the areas necessary for completing the work plan. The project involves multidisciplinary interactions from three universities. Fundamental chemistry studies and development of the biosensors will be carried out in the Department of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina; microelectronics fabrication of sensors will use facilities of the Case Western Reserve University and North Carolina State University; economic modeling will be done at Duke University and Case. The potential for cost reduction is through the development of simple technology for detecting BV that will reduce the cost of diagnosis as well as reducing treatment costs resulting from nonspecific diagnosis. ***
