TWOBIAS

Two Stage Rapid Biological Surveillance and Alarm System for Airborne Pathogenic Threats

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The aim of this project is to develop a demonstrable, modular and “close-to-market” demonstrator of a stationary rapid reliable vehicle-portable Two Stage Rapid Biological Surveillance and Alarm System for Airborne Threats (TWOBIAS) with extremely low false alarm rates. TWOBIAS will provide reliable information to command control systems (CCS) and first responders within seconds, enhancing security related to biological threats at high profile public sites. (figure 1.) The TWOBIAS system includes both detection (BDU – biological detection unit) and identification (BIU – biological identification unit) schemes: i) StageONE: First alarm based on best-in-use optimized optical BDU (detect-to-warn) ii) ii) StageTWO: Second alarm based on highly automated microfluidic-based platform with a molecular BIU (detect-to-treat) The development of reliable biological surveillance and detector systems depends on significant extensive critical testing and evaluation (T&E) of the system, not only in controlled closed environments, but also at the real site of interest, prior to its operative use. Today, real-life testing is lacking. The approach of the project is unique in that the consortium will employ real-life test facilities to develop and prove a demonstrator of TWOBIAS for a successful approach to biological threats. Partner 6 (SCB) will provide a real-life test facility in central Europe that is regarded as a potential target for bioterrorism (i.e. Prague metro station). The project is distinctive because a detector and surveillance system for airborne biological threat agents will be developed according to the operational requirements by the end-user. TWOBIAS is not restricted for use against bioterrorist attacks, but is also suitable for detecting and identifying emerging natural infectious diseases (i.e. SARS, avian flu viruses and other airborne transmitted pathogenic microorganisms).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Airborne bacteria, viruses and other pathogens (aerosols) can pose a significant threat to public health when not detected early. Such aerosols are often behind pandemics and are an insidious form of bioterrorism.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Bioterrorism is likely to target public places where many people gather, such as subways and airports. There are currently no reliable biodetectors installed at such places in Europe. Because bio-aerosols can spread quickly, rapid and accurate detection and identification are critical to saving lives. The EU-funded project 'Two stage rapid biological surveillance and alarm system for airborne pathogenic threats' (TWOBIAS) is reducing security gaps to improve preparedness and response.

Because high sensitivity required for early detection can also lead to false positives, a significant effort will be focused on reducing false alarm rates. TWOBIAS will advance a biological detection unit (BDU) for a first alarm (detect-to-warn) and a biological identification unit (BIU) with an automated microfluidic platform for action (detect-to-treat).

First responders will thus have accurate information about the time and place of the event as well as the concentrations of the agent providing valuable data regarding exposure. Such knowledge is critical to first and effective actions regarding evacuation and isolation/treatment. Importantly, the project will include a demonstration at a real test site.

During the first reporting period, scientists developed the system concept and requirements, selected the public test site and developed software to simulate the test site. The consortium also defined the scenarios and requirements for the real test. Due to the security-sensitive nature of the project, details of progress are restricted.

http://twobias.com/ (TWOBIAS) will make an important technological contribution to national and international security with a significantly improved biodetector unit validated with a public site test. Technology can easily be transferred for detection of accidental aerosol releases and naturally occurring diseases with major impact on the public health of citizens around the world.