Rapid identification of airborne toxins

The threat of terrorism and the criminal use of biological agents and viruses are ever-present. The number of people affected by such attacks and the degree to which they are affected depends on many factors including the agent of choice, its concentration and the time it has to act.

EU funding has enabled the BIO-PROTECT (Ionisation-based detector of airborne bio-agents, viruses and toxins for fast-alert and identification) project to develop the required technology. The system relies on bio-aerosol detection (detection of airborne particles contained or released by living organisms), followed by identification of contents via ionisation and spectral analysis.

To date, scientists have improved bio-aerosol collection and made the collector itself smaller for integration in a portable device. The first responder (ENVI BioScout, now patented) was developed as a portable, stand-alone unit. It combines three functions in a single device: continuous monitoring of ambient air, an early-warning trigger and subsequent automatic air sample collection.

Field tests have been rigorous and thorough. First tests on the second device have been completed. These included interference compounds' detection and user-friendliness.

Bio-detection relies on a miniaturised gas chromatograph-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) system capable of identifying and separating very small amounts of a wide range of organic molecules. The GC-IMS was adapted to separate all types of bio-agents of interest from the aerosol. A combined pre-concentration and pyrolysis unit was also developed, capable of taking a wet sample and preparing it for use with the GC-IMS.

The BIO-PROTECT consortium successfully demonstrated the ability of the coupled pyrolysis-IMS system to deliver reproducible spectra from bio-agent samples in the collector. They also developed an advanced yet simple user interface. Self-learning pattern analysis software reproducibly distinguished hazards through comparison of spectra.

Dissemination through the project website, workshops, conferences and video has been wide. A BIOPROTECT user community portal includes tutorial videos and a User Guide.

BIO-Protect technology can facilitate rapid bio-safety actions until trained personnel arrive or can provide detailed instructions based on evaluation of data via an internet link. It can thus mobilise the public and minimise panic, saving lives.