Poster presented at Biomedical Technology Showcase 2006, Philadelphia, PA. Retrieved 18 Aug 2006 from http://www.biomed.drexel.edu/new04/Content/Biomed_Tech_Showcase/Poster_Presentations/Lec_6.pdf.Biosensors such as the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and micro cantilever (MC) are becoming increasingly popular in homeland security applications due to their high sensitivity. Furthermore, they can be functionalized for specific pathogens such as bacillus anthracis (anthrax) to give high selectivity. These sensing platforms are currently available, but expensive laboratory equipment is required for sample preparation, measurement and analysis. The ideal device will give accurate and repeatable results on a real-time basis using a single system that completes the entire process for use in the laboratory or field. The Portable Anthrax Detection System (PADS) has been developed to meet these requirements. It utilizes a cartridge that contains either a QCM or MC sensor. The system introduces a sample to the sensor, then measures and analyzes it for bacillus anthracis. Sensor results are quantified based on a specific algorithm for the pathogen. The PADS is user friendly, inexpensive, compact, flexible, and is currently undergoing reliability testing
