Cellomics Inc along with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has developed a benchtop system that utilizes living cells for the detection, classification and identification of chemical and biological warfare threat agents such as anthrax and botulinum neurotoxin. Cellomics is collaborating with researchers at military test sites, where they perform the testing of the systems with authentic threat agents. The system will be delivered to DARPA within a year.

The platform integrates Cellomics' fluorescence-based High Content Screening (HCS) technology, automated optical detection, analysis and display system, together with data management and informatics tools. This platform will enable the ultimate identification of threat agent(s) by their effects on living cells.

"This technology is quite unique because it is based on functional activities," stated D. Lansing Taylor, President and CEO, Cellomics Inc. "Cellomics' cell-based assays are used for detection, classification and identification of the threat agents based on their function. An activation 'profile' can be constructed that will classify the agent. Proprietary GFP-based biosensors are designed to identify specific threats such as anthrax lethal toxin and botulinum neurotoxin."

In addition to cell-based assays, Cellomics Inc has developed a solution-based assay for anthrax lethal factor, a toxin produced by the B. anthracis bacterium. This sensor works in existing, already fielded hardware and can detect toxin in as little as 20 minutes. This assay has the potential to discriminate between live and dead spores. Assays for other toxins of interest are currently under development. Both the cell-based platform and solution-based sensor reagent may be suitable for use with environmental or clinical samples.