Method and system for real-time analysis of biosensor data

• US 20070136834A1
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Original Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Inventors: Greenbaum, Elias, Rodriguez, Miguel
• Granted Patent: US 8,812,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 800/278
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/02 involving viable microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/22 Testing for sterility conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/405 from algae
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method of biosensor-based detection of toxins includes the steps of providing a fluid to be analyzed having a plurality of photosynthetic organisms therein, wherein chemical, biological or radiological agents alter a nominal photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms. At a first time a measured photosynthetic activity curve is obtained from the photosynthetic organisms. The measured curve is automatically compared to a reference photosynthetic activity curve to determine differences therebetween. The presence of the chemical, biological or radiological agents, or precursors thereof, are then identified if present in the fluid using the differences.

Claims

1. A method of biosensor-based detection of toxins, comprising the steps of:

providing a fluid to be analyzed having a plurality photosynthetic organisms therein, wherein chemical, biological or radiological agents alter a nominal photosynthetic activity of said photosynthetic organisms;

obtaining at a first time a measured photosynthetic activity curve for said photosynthetic organisms;

automatically comparing said measured curve to a reference photosynthetic activity curve to determine differences therebetween, and

determining a presence of at least one of said chemical, biological or radiological agents, or precursors thereof, in said fluid using said differences.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically comparing step comprises nonlinear least-squares differential displacement analysis, said least-squares differential analysis minimizing a least squares difference between said measured curve and said reference curve.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said automatically comparing step further comprises constructing a measured transformation matrix from said measured curve and reference transformation matrix from said reference curve.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said determining step comprises calculating a degree of departure between said measured transformation matrix and said reference transformation matrix.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of constructing a transformation matrix that maps said measured curve into said reference curve.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of identifying a specific one of said chemical, biological or radiological agents, or precursors thereof.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said identifying step comprises comparing diagonal matrix elements of said transformation matrix to a library of stored diagonal matrix elements, said library of stored diagonal matrix elements corresponding to respective ones of said chemical, biological or radiological agents, or precursors thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of obtaining a measured photosynthetic activity curve at an earlier time relative to said first time, and using said measured photosynthetic activity curve said earlier time as said reference photosynthetic activity curve.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said photosynthetic activity comprises chlorophyll fluorescence induction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said fluid is drawn from a source of primary-source drinking water.

11. A water or air quality analysis system, comprising:

a photodetector for measuring photosynthetic activity of a plurality of photosynthetic organisms, wherein chemical, biological or radiological agents alter a nominal photosynthetic activity of said photosynthetic organisms, and

an electronics package including a an electronics package including a processor coupled to said photodetector for analyzing said photosynthetic activity to indicate a presence of said chemical, biological or radiological agents in said water or air, wherein said analyzing comprises;

obtaining at a first time a measured photosynthetic activity curve for said photosynthetic organisms, and

comparing said measured curve to a reference photosynthetic activity curve to determine differences therebetween.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising structure for communicating said measured photosynthetic activity or said measured photosynthetic activity after analysis by said electronics package to one or more remote sites.