VCU news

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education

The media spotlight swung back on Nobel laureate John Fenn when the Associated Press reported in July that the Virginia Commonwealth University research professor in chemistry is teaming up with scientists from Russia to help develop an early detection system for chemical warfare, explosive and other hazardous substances. Fenn, is actually one of several VCU professors developing systems that will protect Americans from both chemical and biological attacks.

Fenn, Ph.D., is sharing a $90,000 anti-terrorism grant from the United States Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to build a portable system that can detect and identify trace levels of anthrax and other dangerous airborne agents in time to allow potential victims to take protective measures and minimize damage.

“It’s unlikely that this system will be a magic wand against chemical and biological weapons but it will help,” said Fenn. “The best benefit of this project may be keeping Russian scientists from selling their technology to hostile nations.”

Fenn is working with VCU chemical engineering professor Gary C. Tepper, Ph.D. to develop a new chemical sensor technology based on conducting polymer nanowires, which change resistance when exposed to chemical agents. The sensor would be worn by soldiers and tell them whether they’re being exposed to chemical pathogens, such as nerve or blister agents. They received a $100,000 federal grant from the United States Air Force for the first phase of their research. When they’re ready to build a prototype, they’ll be eligible for $750,000 more.

Tepper is also working with Department of Biology professor Stanley R. Webb, Ph.D., and John Anderson, Ph.D., of the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers to develop a monitoring device that would float like a buoy in municipal water supplies and send a beacon to global positioning satellites when biological agents are detected in water. “Since 9-11, there has been an increased awareness of vulnerability to biological attacks, such as the anthrax mailings,” said Tepper. “This system would help solve the problem of monitoring the environment for release of biological warfare agents and other pathogens.”

The VCU School of Engineering’s Center for Bioelectronics, Biosensors and Biochips (C3B) is sponsoring research aimed at the development of a portable system that would rapidly screen for human exposure to bio-warfare agents such as smallpox, salmonella and anthrax. The research team includes C3B Director and chemical engineering professor Anthony Guiseppi-Elie, Sc.D.; chemistry and pathology professor James Landers, Ph.D., and mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Pamela Norris, Ph.D., both of the University of Virginia; and chemistry professor Godwin O. Mbagwu of Virginia State University.

Also within the C3B, a cytotoxicity biosensor is being developed that would use human-derived neuronal cells to rapidly analyze for chemicals that affect the central nervous system. “This simple, efficient device will provide a powerful tool for biodefense both in homeland security and for troops in the field,” said Guiseppi-Elie.