Draper is looking to test the boundaries of microbe-based
sensing technologies.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 23,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Over the past decade,
scientists have proved that engineered microbes are capable of
exhibiting a range of sense-and-response functions. They can be
programmed to convert input signals into detectible outputs, such
as a change in color when they encounter specific toxins. They can
sense and respond to physical stimuli such as light or magnetic
fields. They can even produce an electric current to actuate a tiny
gear.
"Our goal is to support DARPA in mapping
the modular design of microbe-based sensors, develop a standardized
design-build-test process analogous to the hardware development
processes and determine the environmental conditions in which these
sensors operate." Chris Vaiana in
Biotechnology at Draper.
Now, Draper is looking to test the boundaries of microbe-based
sensing technologies. In partnership with the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Draper is leading a diverse team
of experts to explore the development of an interactive, platform
methodology for the rapid design of microbe-based sense-and-respond
devices for monitoring Department of Defense-relevant
environments.
Specifically, DARPA seeks to establish the range of chemical and
physical signals that microbial devices can detect, environmental
conditions they can tolerate and types of output signals that can
be generated. To this end, Tellus will focus on developing the
methodology to enable the rapid design of agile, robust, reliable
and durable microbial sensors for environmental monitoring, the
agency said.
"Microbes have the potential to be developed as biological
sensors that can collect vital information about the environments
they naturally inhabit," said Chris
Vaiana in Draper's Biotechnology business. "Our goal is to
support DARPA in mapping the modular design of microbe-based
sensors, develop a standardized design-build-test process analogous
to the hardware development processes and determine the
environmental conditions in which these sensors operate."
Current approaches to environmental monitoring rely on
distributed sensor networks on the ground, in the water, and on
satellites and autonomous systems, such as drones. The goal of
DARPA's Tellus program is to develop a complementary monitoring
system composed of microbial devices that can translate detected
signals into a variety of physical or chemical output signals that
can then be measured by conventional receiver systems, such as
photonic, photoelectronic or imaging systems.
One way this solution might look, according to DARPA, is a
dashboard or interface where a user will dial in features of their
environment, along with the inputs they want to detect, and the
output signals that are useful to them, and the system would design
a safe, effective microbial device to meet those needs.
Applications vary depending on the configuration. A
microbe-based sensing system could be used to detect pesticides,
toxins and contaminants in the soil and water. It could also be
used to detect harmful agents like heavy metals, organic
pollutants, explosives, chemical warfare agents and poison
gases.
Draper scientists will develop six unique microbial
sense-and-respond devices that will function in a range of
environments, according to Kevin
Remillard, Draper's Director for the DARPA Tellus program
team. "Monitoring emerging conditions in the environment using
microbe-based sensing requires a flexible, multidisciplinary
engineering approach. Draper will draw on expertise in areas
including synthetic biology and bioinformatics to do just that,"
Remillard said.
Draper is fortunate to be partnering with a team of experts from
Boston University, MIT, North Carolina State, University of Colorado at Boulder and RTX BBN.
Draper's work on the Tellus program is part of a growing portfolio
of capabilities directly supporting national security needs. Some
of these capabilities include biothreat detection technologies
developed for IARPA's Finding Engineering-Linked Indicators (FELIX)
and DARPA's Detect It with Gene Editing Technologies (D [IGET)
programs.
This contract was a competitive acquisition under broad agency
announcement Tellus, HR001123S0027.
Draper
As a nonprofit engineering innovation company, Draper serves the
nation's interests and security needs; advances technologies at the
intersection of government, academia and industry; cultivates the
next generation of innovators; and solves the most complex
challenges. Multidisciplinary teams drawn from a broad and deep
talent pool of 1,300 engineers and scientists collaborate to
develop first-of-a-kind solutions. Draper's unbiased approach
enables the company to focus on their customers' needs and to
deliver new capabilities to them. Learn more at draper.com.
Media Contact
Dan Dent, Draper, 6172582462,
ddent@draper.com, https://www.draper.com/
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