32
a single-strand, a denaturing step must be done to separate the two constituent
strands of DNA. RNA, however, is normally single-stranded [58].
2.3.5.4 CANARY Detections of Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis
The CANARY approach takes advantage of a receptor that binds to the constant part
of the antibodies and leaves the antigen-binding part of the antibody free. After the
binding of the bacteria with the captured antibodies, the receptor initiates a signal
cascade, similar to the one induced by the crosslinking of membrane-bound antibodies on B cells, which activates aequorin [58].
The excellent combination of speed and sensitivity of the CANARY system was
shown with cell lines expressing an antibody that specify for the F1 antigen of
Yersinia pestis (Yp), shown in Fig. 2.16 [58]. When concentrated in the centrifuge
luminometer, as little as 45 cfu of formalin-inactivated Yp are detected. However,
there was no response to relatively large numbers of F. tularensis [58].
For biological defense applications, the CANARY technology was added into a
flexible biological-aerosol sensor platform called PANTHER that can create the
core of a family of mission-specific bio-aerosol identification sensors useful as
Fig. 2.16 The dose-response curves for inactivated Francisella tularensis (top) and Yersinia pestis
(bottom). (Adapted from Ref. [58])
J. H. Banoub and A. Mikhael
a single-strand, a denaturing step must be done to separate the two constituent
strands of DNA. RNA, however, is normally single-stranded [58].
2.3.5.4 CANARY Detections of Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis
The CANARY approach takes advantage of a receptor that binds to the constant part
of the antibodies and leaves the antigen-binding part of the antibody free. After the
binding of the bacteria with the captured antibodies, the receptor initiates a signal
cascade, similar to the one induced by the crosslinking of membrane-bound antibodies on B cells, which activates aequorin [58].
The excellent combination of speed and sensitivity of the CANARY system was
shown with cell lines expressing an antibody that specify for the F1 antigen of
Yersinia pestis (Yp), shown in Fig. 2.16 [58]. When concentrated in the centrifuge
luminometer, as little as 45 cfu of formalin-inactivated Yp are detected. However,
there was no response to relatively large numbers of F. tularensis [58].
For biological defense applications, the CANARY technology was added into a
flexible biological-aerosol sensor platform called PANTHER that can create the
core of a family of mission-specific bio-aerosol identification sensors useful as
Fig. 2.16 The dose-response curves for inactivated Francisella tularensis (top) and Yersinia pestis
(bottom). (Adapted from Ref. [58])
J. H. Banoub and A. Mikhael