Patent ID: 7927807
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting and analyzing a targeted analyte in a fluid or gaseous environment, comprising the steps of: deploying an autonomous genosensor into said fluid or gaseous environment, said autonomous genosensor comprising: a water-tight sealed housing having one or more sample intake ports and one or more sample egress ports, wherein said housing is sealed to allow operation while partially or totally immersed in said fluid or gaseous environment; a sample manager within said housing in communication with said intake port for moving a sample through the housing; a reactor within said housing in communication with said sample manager for containing said sample during a chemical, biochemical, or biologic reaction, in which the reactor further comprises a nucleic acid amplification system; a nucleic acid detector within said housing in communication with said reactor for detecting an analyte in said sample within said reactor; an electronic control system within said housing in electrical communication with said detector, said reactor, and said sample manager for controlling the movement of samples through said housing and for controlling the reaction and detecting the reactions within said housing, wherein said electronic control system is capable of automatic operation; and a power supply within said housing in electrical communication with said reactor, said detector and said electronic control system; operating said autonomous genosensor to collect ambient fluid or gaseous samples; reacting said ambient fluid or gaseous samples with reagents specific to said targeted analyte to permit amplification of said target analyte; detecting said amplified targeted analyte in said ambient fluid or gaseous sample; and electronically collecting analytical data for storage or transmission.