The MERADCOM (Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command) in vitro Biosensor Program.
Abstract
This report describes two research efforts designed to determine if highly sensitive and specific biochemical analysis techniques could be applied for explosive detection. One approach is in the area of enzymatic chemistry and is based on a new, TNT-specific enzyme and on a highly sensitive, light-emitting indicator reaction. The second effort describes the development of a new technique utilizing light emitting entities as labels in immunoassay. The feasibility of an enzymatic TNT detection concept was demonstrated involving a 'sensor reaction' in which a TNT specific enzyme, the TNT reductase, catalyzes a reaction which is sensitively indicated by a light-emitting indicator reaction. The indicator reaction is the in vitro bacterial luciferase reaction whose light emission depends on the concentration of the biochemical reagent NADH. The NADH concentration is changed by the TNT specific sensor reaction. The new concept of light emission immunoassay was developed and applied for TNT detection. It involves interaction of free TNT and TNP-luciferase molecules with sites on immobilized TNP antibodies, isolated and prepared for this purpose. Subsequently, the light emission catalyzed by the TNP-luciferase bound to the immobilized antibody is a function of the free TNT concentration. This technique allowed the determination of 5 times 10 to the -14th power mole of TNT.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA127766
Entities
People
- Heinrich C. Egghart