Reducing the size of the pathogen identifier that is placed on a chip would allow increased sensitivity while reducing the need for support items such as fluids. Research underway at the University of Alabama Birmingham aims to create a small, combinatorial chemistry-derived molecule to replace the large antibody. This will allow developers to control the affinity of the sensor. Another technique, known as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, involves mixing a suspected pathogen sample onto a matrix solution. As with popcorn in cooking oil, the bacteria pops from the heat and emits molecules in gas for identification.
Different matrices can provide different patterns.
It also is designed to respond to an attack after the victims fall ill. Early this year, the program brought together experts from Oracle Corporation, Herndon, Virginia, the University of Texas, Arlington, and ScenPro, Dallas, Texas, to work directly with the Marine Corps on a theater medical information system architecture. It is serving as this test's operation system. Two principles guide this architecture. One is to exploit available hardware and the communications infrastructure, including dial-up modems and telephone service, and to adapt to higher bandwidth services as they become available.