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Quantum Dot-based Qualitative and Quantitative Multiplex Strip Test for Malaria I

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R43AI092962-01
Agency Tracking Number: R43AI092962
Amount: $594,664.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NIAID
Solicitation Number: PA10-123
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
2143 Worth Lane
SPRINGDALE, AR -
United States
DUNS: 155516987
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Y WANG
 (479) 751-5500
 awang@oceannanotech.com
Business Contact
 ALICE BU
Phone: (479) 751-5500
Email: alicebu@oceannanotech.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Our goal is to develop easy to use, inexpensive, and sensitive quantum dots beads (QDBs) based strip test for multiplex diagnosis of human malaria infection called MAL-QDBTest that can detect as low as 1 parasite/uL ina lt 20 min assay. The MAL-QDBTest consists of 1) multiplexed strip test for qualitative visual detection (Fig. 1), 2) reagents for the strip test, and 3) an optional a handheld fluorescence reader called QD-Analyzer . The MAL-QDBTest uses novel quantumdots beads in a multiplex strip test that is used both for a) qualitative detection using visual inspection and b) quantitative detection using the QD- Analyzer . The MAL-QDTest uses novel quantum dots beads (QDBs) that can be used to differentiate a) Pfalciparum from Pvivax; b) detect other Plasmodia causing malaria; c) differentiate live from dead parasites through the detection of pGluDH; and d) quantify the number of parasites present with the use of the QD- Analyzer. It uses quantum dots beads (QDBs)which are nanoparticles (NPs) containing hundreds of quantum dots that exhibit color stability and high light intensity greater than organic dyes. Quantum confined properties of quantum dots with a few atoms to 10,000 atoms can enable single molecule detection. Interfaced with the QD-Analyzer, the QDB-based multiplex detection will provide higher sensitivity, greater reproducibility, lower detection limits, and increased diagnostic accuracy. The proposed multiplex MAL-QDBTest uses patented QDBs that canbe conjugated to selective and specific antibodies for the capture and detection of antigen biomarkers of malaria infection. To date, there is no existing malaria assay that uses QDBs which are sacs of hundreds of NPs that exhibit color stability and highlight intensity that are 100% greater than organic dyes with the potential to detect a single molecule. There is a great need for developing better detection methods for malaria parasites because not only does current diagnosis suffer from sensitivity andreliability of results, these cannot detect lower than 100 parasites /uL may be fatal. The sensitivity of current rapid diagnostic tests may be gt85% but only at 200 parasites/uL or higher. These cannot be used for drug/vaccine development that requires 1parasite/uL detection. The proposed MAL-QDBTest is anticipated to alleviate the diagnosis of gt 500 million cases of malaria each year with 1-3 million deaths and the drug and vaccine development hurdles. Currently, there is no no licensed vaccine against this disease. In the US, malaria may re-emerge due to increased travel to endemic countries as well as the deployment of the gt300,000 US military personnel worldwide. Furthermore, the number of blood donors who had been refused as a result of recent travel to endemic countries has been gt 10% that may have caused shortage at blood banks around the country. Thus, there is a need to develop the proposed MAL-QDBTest interfaced with the QD-Analyzer for fast, easy to use, reliable, quantitative, and inexpensive methods for malaria diagnosis and to quickly validate drug and vaccine candidates. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed quantum dots based strip test for multiplex diagnosis of human malaria infection is anticipated to alleviate the diagnostics as well as the drug and vaccine hurdles that affect gt 500 million cases of malaria each year and 1 to 3 million deaths, majority of whom are young children. Although there are recent advances in medicine, science, and technology, there is no licensed vaccine against this disease that is a major infectious disease threat to U.S. forces deployed worldwide. In the US, malaria is recently considered to have a high potential to re-emerge due to the spread of drug resistant parasites and insecticide-resistantmosquitoes and as a result the number of blood donors who had been refused as a result of recent travel to endemic countries has been more than 10% possibly causing shortage at blood banks around the country.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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