DASA is seeking proposals that present novel solutions that facilitate detection and identification of biological threat materials on or within a filter substrate. The solution must:
- provide specific detection on or within the filter substrate to species level (ie via detection of specific macromolecules).
- be focused on sensing biological material from the aerosol phase
- be TRL 1 to 4
DASA are interested in solutions that integrate a biological sensing assay(s) onto or within a filter substrate.
Projects are expected to run for 12 months (including reporting time) with budgets of £50 – £150,000.
DASA are also interested in solutions that will additionally address identified challenges in sensing on filters during bioaerosol collection such as
- the challenge of reagents desiccating on filters,
- ensuring relevant orientation of reagents on or within the filter material,
- humidity ranges experienced across day and night cycles,
- rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens on the filter (i.e. <60 min),
- multiplexed assays to cover broader species range,
- the diversity of non-biological material collected during real-world aerosol sampling that may inhibit the sensing assay.
The primary focus of proposals must be on bioaerosol sensing in the presence of an airstream and this will be a priority for success. However, approaches that support detection of biological material in liquid will be considered, providing the application supports overcoming some of the technical challenges expected with aerosols. Any liquid-based proposals must provide a clear and credible route to future integration of the bioassay onto or within filters supporting detection of captured bioaerosol.
This call is made under the Open Call for Innovation and is expected to run for at least 2 competition cycles with closing dates of 29 November 2023 and 6 March 2024.
