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Title: Unique DNA-barcoded aerosol test particles for studying aerosol transport

Journal Article · · Aerosol Science and Technology
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  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
  3. Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Arlington, VA (United States)
  4. Parsons Corp., Arlington, VA (United States)
  5. SkyeSciences, LLC, Livermore, CA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Data are presented for the first use of novel DNA-barcoded aerosol test particles that have been developed to track the fate of airborne contaminants in populated environments. Until DNATrax (DNA Tagged Reagents for Aerosol eXperiments) particles were developed, there was no way to rapidly validate air transport models with realistic particles in the respirable range of 1–10 μm in diameter. The DNATrax particles, developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and tested with the assistance of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, are the first safe and effective materials for aerosol transport studies that are identified by DNA molecules. The use of unique synthetic DNA barcodes overcomes the challenges of discerning the test material from pre-existing environmental or background contaminants (either naturally occurring or previously released). The DNATrax particle properties are demonstrated to have appropriate size range (approximately 1–4.5 μm in diameter) to accurately simulate bacterial spore transport. As a result, we describe details of the first field test of the DNATrax aerosol test particles in a large indoor facility.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1259759
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-669940
Journal Information:
Aerosol Science and Technology, Vol. 50, Issue 5; ISSN 0278-6826
Publisher:
American Association for Aerosol ResearchCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 9 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (8)

Evidence for lateral gene transfer between Archaea and Bacteria from genome sequence of Thermotoga maritima journal May 1999
The effect of filter material on bioaerosol collection of Bacillus subtilis spores used as a Bacillus anthracis simulant journal January 2005
Comparative genomics tools applied to bioterrorism defence journal January 2003
Genetic Barcodes for Improved Environmental Tracking of an Anthrax Simulant journal September 2012
Detection and Tracking of a Novel Genetically Tagged Biological Simulant in the Environment journal September 2012
Artificial plasmid engineered to simulate multiple biological threat agents journal January 2009
Environmental Monitoring for Biological Threat Agents Using the Autonomous Pathogen Detection System with Multiplexed Polymerase Chain Reaction journal October 2008
Aerosol and Microparticle Generation Using a Commercial Inkjet Printer journal April 2013

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Nanocrystal Inks: Photoelectrochemical Printing of Cu 2 O Nanocrystals on Silicon with 2D Control on Polyhedral Shapes journal November 2018

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES