Biodefense Mass Spectrometry
The recent targeting of individuals and groups with Bacillus anthracis has heightened global concern over bio-terrorism and underscored the need for early detection. A field deployable, Bio-aerosol mass spectrometer (BAMS) has been optimized to analyze single cells in real time. Mass signatures from bacterial spores and vegetative cells acquired using a reflectron time of flight (TOF) are limited to peaks under 300 m/z. Optimization through modifications of the instrument are underway.
The development of a real-time, single cell detection method to characterize airborne pathogens is critical to counter terrorism. Currently, we are developing a bioaerosol Fourier transform mass spectrometer (BAMS-FT) to characterize bioaerosols of bacterial spores and vegetative cells. Also, the method can be applied to the analysis of single cells to understand metabolic process and identify biomarkers for diseases.
