The Compact Bead Array Sensor System ( cBASS )

							                   The Compact Bead Array Sensor System (cBASS)
                           Combining Biotechnology & Nanotechnology to Combat Terrorism
                                              Dr. Lloyd Whitman, Chemistry Division (whitman@nrl.navy.mil)
                                                                                                                           Receptor A           Receptor B

                      The cBASS Story
                          • Quickly detects and identifies biological warfare agents in the environment               Magnetic
                                                                                                                      Particle
                          • Uses BIOTECHNOLOGY to capture individual molecules from the toxic agents
                          • Uses magnetic NANOTECHNOLOGY to identify captured molecules                                     Target A Target B

                          • Uses MICROFLUIDICS to harness these two technologies into a compact,
                            portable system
                                                                                                                      Sensor A    Chip    Sensor B


                                                                                                                 cBASS captures, labels, and detects
                               One of 77 technologies selected from >12,000 proposals to                         toxic agents using magnetic micro-
                                 combat terrorism after the tragic events of fall 2001.                          particles and a special sensor chip.




Biotechnology
• cBASS captures the unique
  DNA from toxic organisms                                   Nanotechnology
  like anthrax.                   Label                      • The Bead ARray Counter (BARC) microchip uses an
• The DNA molecules are                                        array of Giant Magneto-Resistive (GMR) sensors.          Microfluidics
  captured using a DNA                                       • The GMR sensors—similar to those in PC hard               • Each BARC chip is housed in a disposable plastic
                              DNA Probe




  microarray.                                                  drives—are based on magnetic nanostructures.                cartridge that includes all the needed chemicals.
                                Label




                                                                                                  GMR Sensor             • All chemistry is done in miniature channels so
                                                                         BARC Microchip
                                                                                                    200 µm                 everything can be done quickly.
                                                Target DNA
                                                Target DNA




                                                                                                                                                   Microfluidics
                                          C
                                          T                                                                                                         Cartridge
                              DNA Probe




                                          C
                               Capture




                                          G
                                          A
                                          G
                                          T
                                          A
                                          C
                                          T                                                          Magnetic
  DNA Microarray                                                                                     Microbead



                                                                              12 mm                                                                                Flow Cell/Chip
                                                                                                                          cBASS                                      Assembly