This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry and in the subfield of biosensors. The thrust of this experimental activity is to utilize a plate-mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) device coupled with an antigen- antibody response to develop a highly selective biosensor. By elaborating the correct transduction mechanism whereby the bioanalyte of interest in the test system gives rise to the observed SAW device response, Dr. McAllister will optimize the device design for analytical responses in aqueous environments during this Phase I activity. Acoustic wave sensors are solid state electronic devices which are highly sensitive to minute mass changes. Sensitivities of less than ten parts-per-billion have been demonstrated for gaseous analytes. Specificity is a major technical problem in every sensor system; this issue can be addressed in bioanalytical systems through the use of monoclonal antibodies. Whereas monoclonal antibodies can be advantageously used in radioimmunoassay and electroimmunoassay systems, the overall analysis time extends to several hours. BIODE, Inc. will utilize monoclonal antibodies together with plate-mode SAW devices to produce a new generation of sensors which should give rise to on-line applications in both in vivo and in vitro systems.
