Ricin field detection

The Defence Research Establishment Suffield has initiated a research program to develop methods and equipment for field detection and laboratory identification of proteins and peptides such as Ricin and the Botulinum Toxins. These proteins are difficult to detect and identify even within controlled laboratory settings. In this report, we briefly review capillaiy zone electrophoresis (CZE) and describe a CZE method for the analysis of bio-active peptides. 

In the absence of an unambiguous history of ricin exposure, the preferred diagnostic method is specific immunoassay of ricin in serum, respiratory secretions, or other clinical samples associated with poisoning. Most of the methods described for ricin detection are experimental or are under development. The CDC and the Federal Laboratory Response Network have the capability to detect ricin in environmental specimens using validated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and time-resolved immunofluorescence assays, with cell-based bioassays to confirm ricin activity. The U.S. Department of Defense has produced experimental field immunoassays, but commercial distribution of field test kits currently is limited. 

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has developed a handheld-type device named Handheld Advanced Nucleic Acid Analyzer (HANAA) (Fig. 3) which is capable of rapid detection of bioagents such as B. anthracis in the field. It uses the TaqMan-based PCR assay system. Due to its small footprint and low weight, it is ideal for field applications. Another development from them is the Nanowire Barcode System which speeds up detection of pathogens such as anthrax, smallpox, ricin, and botulinum. Antibodies of specific pathogens are attached to the nanowires which produce small, reliable, and sensitive detection systems. 

Several biological threat agents were also detected employing ECL approach including purified Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B, botulinus A, cholera toxin, and ricin toxins [187]. Another study in the following years focused on Bacillus anthracis and E. coli 0157 H7 and used a male-specific coliphage virus to stimulate the detection of viral agents such as smallpox, Ebola, and yellow fever [186]. This work was later on extended to field samples to measure... 

The past decade has seen the advent of BWA detection by MS. In particular, the detection of ricin has already received considerable method development. Environmental research to detect and identify biological toxins in natural waters may be applied to the analysis of drinking waters for HLS applications. The future of MS detection of BWAs lies in the related field of biological MS. This rapidly advancing area of MS... 

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