The Complete Solution: Microfluidics-based Bioagent Autonomous Networked Detector (M-BAND)

The US Department of Homeland Securiy’s BioWatch program is currently operating urban bioaerosol monitors in many cities through out the US. The importance of having such an early warning system for a biological attack is paramount to homeland security. However due to the high cost of the human labor and desire for broader agent coverage with faster times from collection to results there is a need to install autonomously operating systems. The Microfluidic Bioagent Networked Detector (M-BAND) developed by Microfluidic Systems runs autonomously for up to 30 days, continuously analyzing air samples for the detection of bacteria, viruses, and toxins with results in as little as two hours. Results from individual instruments are reported via a secure wireless network in real time to give an accurate and up to date status for fielded instruments in aggregate.

Designed for either outdoor or indoor environments, the M-BAND will operate from - 25 to 125 ºF. The M-BAND utilizes the industry-standard TaqMan® Real-Time PCR with an end-point read and toxin immunoassays which are well-established in the field for optimal specificity and sensitivity. Designed with a high level of operational flexibility, M-BAND can be remotely set to detect for DNA-based pathogens alone, with or without either RNA-based organisms or toxins, or for all three types of pathogens simultaneously at remotely programmable intervals. Air collection rates of 400L/min have been achieved providing 10 mL of concentrated fluidic sample to the detection system. Sample processing time includes: 60 minutes lysis and purification and a thermal cycling rate of 1.2 min/cycle. The typical time for combined sample processing and detection is 120 min assuming 50 thermal cycles. Toxin analysis time is 40 min. The pathogen detection assays currently implemented include Bacillus anthracis spores, Yersinia pestis bacteria, VEE virus, and botulinum, SEB and Ricin toxins including an internal bacterial positive control. The current platform supports over 70 RNA/DNA targets via multiplexing. The highest degree of specificity is provided by multiple gene targets per organism via multiplex TaqMan® Real-Time PCR, and monoclonal antibody-based toxin detection. Injection-molded, low-cost, disposable cartridges provide the basis of the M-BAND instrument are also valuable sub-system-level components with a variety of stand-alone applications.

The net benefits of our system architecture is an instrument that offers decreased consumable and operating costs, provides a small footprint, maintains a closed operating environment, and offers tremendous flexibility of operation and for future upgrades. MFSI has completed the three development phases of the BAND project and is building numerous units for additional extensive field tests, and has teamed with Applied Biosystems (AB) and United Technology’s Hamilton Sundstand Division (UTC- HS) for reagent production and volume manufacturing and service. “With the continued success of MFSI's prime role in the BAND program and the establishment of a world-class team for production and support of all the required aspects of the system, we believe we will be able to complete development of a cost-effective solution for the growing need for more efficient airborne pathogen detection and identification," said M. Allen Northrup, Ph.D, CEO, Microfluidic Systems. "MFSI looks forward to this significant development and production effort with these key partners."

The MFSI M-BAND including an insert showing the types of microfluidic casettes implemented within the system.