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  Sporian Microsystems is
currently developing a number of biosensor products
for the detection of biological and chemical pathogens. These
sensors leverage proven
immunoassay techniques and materials, combined with proven sensor hardware
designs and packaging to realize highly specific, low power, small size, low
cost, pathogen sensors with extremely low false positive rates.
This technology is a revolutionary step in using biologically derived
nanotechnology, integrated with micro-scale hardware systems, to realize
products with
distinct logistical and performance
advantages.
One product currently in development
is a very small multi-sensor for the detection
of
waterborne pathogens, including Cholera, Giardia, and Ecoli. With an increased
concern for drinking water safety, a new emphasis has been placed on the
monitoring of civic and building water supplies for potentially dangerous
pathogens. Current state of the art techniques for the definitive detection of
biological pathogens in water require water samples to be taken to a lab,
resulting in long turn around times and high costs. Sporian’s sensors take real
time in-situ measurements, with very high specificity, and generate an alarm
signal upon detection.
It is important to note that, while the existing sensor products under
development target a specific group of pathogens, other pathogens (both chemical
and biological) of interest can be detected by leveraging the same fundamental
technology. This technology would be of particular interest in the cost
effective distributed detection of chemical and biological weapons threats,
where real time detection and low false positive rates are critical.
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