July 2011

Synkera has recently started a SBIR Phase I project, awarded by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), to develop an advanced system for preparation of environmental samples for biological detection.

Today, DHS and related agencies face a great challenge in effectively detecting low-abundance biological threats, amid a background of dust, dirt, innocuous microbes, and other interferents. There is a need to develop new technology that automates sample separation and preparation in the field, in order to allow better targeting of important biothreats of interest. DHS requires a system that provides fast, reliable separations, and integrates well with high-volume detection systems (e.g. aerosol collectors) and rapid analysis platforms (e.g. RT-PCR).

Synkera’s unique approach is to apply its nanoceramic membrane technology in a self-contained desktop-sized microfluidic module to achieve size-based separation of raw environmental samples. A cascade of membranes will be implemented in series to sort cells, cell fragments, and smaller biomolecules into separate streams, which can then be further processed (e.g. protein vs. nucleic acid) and/or analyzed.

Beyond the DHS application, this membrane/microfluidic module may have many applications for automated sample processing in life science research, bioprocess, and biotechnology. Please contact us for further information.