Patent ID: 8383036

Claim:
A decontamination method for neutralizing Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus anthracis spores comprising: a) exposing Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus anthracis spores to an organic semiconductor attached to one or more nucleic acid ligands capable of associating with Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus anthracis spores, the organic semiconductor having a conjugated backbone of alternating double and single bonds and is capable of transporting positive and negative charges; and b) neutralizing the Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus anthracis spores by irradiating the Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus anthracis spores exposed to the organic semiconductor attached to the nucleic acid ligands with an energy source selected from the group consisting of radiofrequency radiation, microwave, electron beam radiation, and non-thermal plasma discharge, wherein neutralization is increased compared to irradiating the Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus anthracis spores exposed to an organic semiconductor without an attached nucleic acid ligand.