| IFyber, LLC
950 Danby Road Suite 300 Ithaca, NY 14850 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(607) 227-7522
Aaron Strickland SB111-001 Awarded:4/20/2011 |
| Title: | Lab-on-a-Bubble: A powerful, low-cost, point-of-care diagnostic platform technology |
| Abstract: | iFyber LLC proposal define a novel solution for the Point-of-Care diagnostics market. Traditional In-Vitro Diagnostic testing most often requires multiple steps (sample purification and analyte separation, analyte concentration/amplification, and detection) to achieve even qualitative levels of detection. iFyber proposes to develop and commercialize an entirely new paradigm in the POC diagnostic market that utilizes a unique microsphere- based, passive proximity assay (PPA) for integrated sample purification and target analyte capture, concentration and detection |
| Infoscitex Corporation
303 Bear Hill Road Waltham, MA 02451 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(781) 890-1338
Vladimir Gilman SB111-001 Awarded:4/25/2011 |
| Title: | Improved Collection, Specificity, and Longterm Reagent Storage for Point of Care Diagnostics |
| Abstract: | The role of point of care (POC) diagnostics in the medical field has rapidly grown in the last few decades into a multi-billion dollar industry. For many diagnostic applications, POC diagnostics technologies are rapidly displacing in-vitro laboratory based diagnostics because POC systems allow for more rapid and effective diagnosis and triage, which leads to improved patient outcomes and reduced health care costs. Furthermore, POC systems are field portable, require minimal training and technical skills to operate, hence tests can be self administered. All of the advantages provided by POC systems make it an ideal platform for diagnostic needs by the U.S. military where resources are scarce but rapid diagnosis and treatment is critical. However, current POC systems are not able to meet clinical grade sensitivity and specificity do not meet long-term storage needs in non-controlled environments, and do not allow for sample collection with minimum sample preparation. To address these needs, Infoscitex Corporation (IST) and Claros Diagnostics propose to develop an aptamer base POC diagnostic system which leverages IST’s proprietary rapid isolation of DNA aptamers (RIDA) process with Claros Diagnostics’ mature microfluidic based POC platform. |
| Optofluidics, Inc.
205 East Marshall Street Ithaca, NY 14850 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(607) 272-2617
Bernardo Cordovez SB111-001 Awarded:4/25/2011 |
| Title: | "Point of Injury" Sampling Technology for Battlefield Molecular Diagnostics |
| Abstract: | In this project Optofluidics, Inc. proposes to develop a “CLIA waivable” sample collection method for the concentration and quantification of blood-borne biomarkers associated with late phase hemorrhagic shock and traumatic brain injury. The sample collection technology is based on (1) a finger prick based assay, (2) a multistage packed bead filtration system, and (3) a novel “nanofluidic collapse” aptamer based specific protein concentration technique, originally demonstrated by the Erickson lab at Cornell University and covered under a patent application. It is proposed that this sample collection technique can be integrated with our existing Nanoscale Optofluidic Sensor Array technology to create a handheld “molecular medic” that can rapidly detect the presence of biomarkers related to these conditions. With our devices untrained personnel or first responders could diagnose with better certainty the presence of these injuries and make more informed decisions regarding treatment, having a dramatic influence on outcomes following a traumatic event. |
| Spot On Sciences, LLC
13705 Shadowglade Pl. Manor, TX 78653 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(512) 658-6293
Jeanette Hill SB111-001 Awarded:4/26/2011 |
| Title: | Sampling and Reagent Technologies for Point of Care Diagnostics |
| Abstract: | Current methods for blood sampling do not allow for remote self collection and maintenance of sample integrity during transport and storage is difficult. Spot On Sciences is developing a fast, simple to use device for remote, self-sampling and robust transport and storage of blood samples at ambient temperatures. Based on dried blood spot technology, HemaSpot (patent-pending) is a single use, all-in-one device that uses a finger stick to collect and dry blood within a protective cartridge. Portions of the sample can be immediately tested, shipped and/or stored in the HemaSpot cartridge for years. Additional advantages are less invasive sampling, small volumes, superior sample stability, and compatibility with common diagnostic test methods. In the current proposal, individual components of HemaSpot will be tested and optimized. Blood samples will be analyzed for a minimum of 2 analytes by mass spectrometry to demonstrate analyte stability and recovery. Ph II studies will include prototype manufacture and validation in larger-scale field studies toward our ultimate goal of commercializing the HemaSpot device for self blood sampling in clinical or remote settings for routine diagnostic testing. |
| Eckstein Diagnostics
4763 Westridge Drive Fort Collins, CO 80526 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(970) 222-9127
Gail Berardino-Lang SB111-002 Awarded:4/22/2011 |
| Title: | Novel Molecular Approaches to Discover and Identify Bacterial Virulence Factors |
| Abstract: | The occurrence of new emerging infectious disease without efficient treatment opportunities and the increased numbers of multi-resistant primarily bacterial pathogen puts strong pressure on the identification of new drug targets and ultimately the development of new drugs and new types of treatment. There are few target groups that are of particular interest for the development of new drugs and treatment types: (1) surface molecules that play an important role in the host-pathogen interaction and (2) pathogenicity/virulence factors of the bacterial pathogen. Over the last decades new techniques were develop to decipher genomic and proteomic information to identify proteomic factors involved in pathogenicity and virulence. However, none were developed to discover the involvement of lipids in pathogenicity and virulence of bacterial infections mostly due to their specific chemical structure and inability to dissolve in solutions that are non-toxic to eukaryotic cells or are without stimulation of unspecific immune response of immune cells and systems. The purpose of this topic is to identify and validate new techniques to identify easier and faster potential virulence vectors as potential drug targets. In response to this need, Eckstein Diagnostics Inc. proposes the development of a procedure to identify lipids as potential virulence factors. |
| Resodyn Corporation
130 North Main Street Suite 600 Butte, MT 59701 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(406) 497-5245
Claire Checroun SB111-002 Awarded:4/21/2011 |
| Title: | The Effector Trap: A New Tool for Virulence Factor Discovery |
| Abstract: | The accelerating prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is an increasing public health problem. While the emergence of resistant strains is unavoidable, it is exacerbated by the widespread use, inappropriate prescription and misuse of antibiotics. Development of new antibiotics is slow and costly. One alternative to antibiotics is the development of antimicrobials that target the bacteria virulence factors. Such drugs will exert a milder selection pressure and should reduce the likelihood of development of resistant sub- populations. Resodyn Corporation proposes to develop an “Effector Trap”: a new platform and a packaging that will allow a rapid and efficient isolation of virulence factors from multiple bacteria by exposing them artificially to the cues they normally encounter in vivo. The platform setup will allow for direct recovery of concentrated solutions containing the virulence factors, providing targets for the development of virulence factor-based antimicrobial compounds.x |
| Vital Probes, Inc.
1300 Old Plank Road Mayfield, PA 18433 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(570) 281-2505
Vito DelVecchio SB111-002 Awarded:4/20/2011 |
| Title: | Rapid Identification of Bacterial Virulence Factors |
| Abstract: | Bacteria employ a vast array of virulence factors that enable them to confront and damage the host cell during the infectious process. Identification of these virulence factors is essential to understanding pathogenisis and defining targets for future development of more efficacious next-generation therapeutic agents and vaccines. Thus, there is an urgent need for a rapid, relatively inexpensive, comprehensive, high-throughput platform for the discovery of virulence factors. To this end, Vital Probes, Inc. has developed Rapid Virulence Factor Discovery System (RVFDS) which expresses virtually all of the open reading frames of a pathogen which can then be screened for interaction with host components. This proteomic- based system circumvents the drawbacks of laboratory-grown conditions, host environment simulations, and isolation of pathogens from biological specimens or host anatomical sites in the identification of the virulence factors. A typical RVFDS experiment can be accomplished in less than a month. This proposal intent to assess the feasibility of RVFDS to identify the novel virulence factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which is the causal agent of a wide range of human diseases. This system is intended to not only feed VPI’s product pipeline with new target candidates for therapeutic and vaccine development but to also provide this discovery platform as a service to outside companies, government research institutions, and academic institutions. |
| Allure Security Technology
5 Penn Plaza 23rd Floor New York,, NY 10001 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(201) 906-3438
Salvatore Stolfo SB111-003 Awarded:4/14/2011 |
| Title: | Anomaly Detection At Multiple Scales (ADAMS) |
| Abstract: | The recent disclosure of sensitive and classified government documents through WikiLeaks demonstrates a new systemic threat, exfiltration and broad global broadcast of government confidential data and information. We propose to develop techniques and mechanisms for identifying likely malicious insiders within an organization by leveraging automatically generated misinformation and modern system and network monitoring technologies such as Data Leakage Prevention (DLP). The proposed scheme focuses on and exploits what malicious insiders seek (illicitly acquired information), as opposed to incidental signs of misbehavior, providing a robust alternative and a good complement to such mechanisms. We propose to develop a baseline system that will demonstrate the feasibility of identifying specific types of insiders by developing a prototype for automatically generating and distributing believable misinformation based on administrator-defined templates, and then tracking access and attempted misuse of it. The technology to be commercialized has been licensed and transferred from Columbia University. The proposed prototype will integrate the deception technology and host sensors with open source Data Leak Prevention technology to demonstrate the essential functions and core features of a product suitable for government customers to mitigate the insider threat and thwart the exfiltration of sensitive government information. |
| Fred Cohen & Associates
572 Leona Drive Livermore, CA 94550 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(925) 454-0171
Fred Cohen SB111-003 Awarded:4/20/2011 |
| Title: | Anomaly Detection At Multiple Scales (ADAMS) |
| Abstract: | This effort will focus on methods to identify, describe, justify, design, and prototype methodologies and mechanisms – to detect acts indicative of malicious intent or behavior – by trusted individuals and groups with access to sensitive information, systems, and sources – in secure environments – in time to mitigate potentially serious negative consequences of those acts. |
| Global InfoTek, Inc
1920 Association Drive Suite 200 Reston, VA 20191 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(703) 652-1600
James Just SB111-003 Awarded:4/15/2011 |
| Title: | Tamper Detection and Prevention |
| Abstract: | Many sensors have been and are being deployed to detect the activities of malicious insiders and enable attribution to the proper individuals. The ADAMS program attempts to utilize the activity evidence captured by these sensors to proactively anticipate forthcoming malicious behavior by detecting the precursors of that malicious behavior. We will facilitate this goal by developing a specialized sensor that detects attempts to tamper with these sensors and/or the evidential logs they create. Such tampering is highly indicative that a perpetrator is engaged in and attempting to hide his/her malicious behavior. This sensor will also block tamper attempts so that neither the captured activity logs nor the sensors creating those logs are corrupted. Blockages will be completely hidden from the attacker(s) so that he/she is unaware that the tampering actions have been thwarted and the malicious behavior detected. Thus, our proposed Tamper Sensor is both 1) a highly tuned sensor that detects attempts to disable sensors or modify sensor logs (delete, modify, or insert log entries), and 2) an effector that invisibly prevents tampering attempts, preserving the integrity of the recorded activity so that uncorrupted log files may be analyzed by other ADAMS program detectors. |
| Outdo Inc
1534 N Stafford St Arlington, VA 22207 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(240) 476-2732
Frank Sauer SB111-003 Awarded:4/18/2011 |
| Title: | Real-Time Interactive Secure Forensic System (RTISFS) |
| Abstract: | RTISFS will support identifying and defending against malicious insiders functionalities through: a wider range of access limitations; immutable, non-alerting forensic audit trail; dynamic environment supporting interactions with users without revealing the depth of forensic and enforcement capabilities; scripted interrogatories to assist separating anomalies attributed to malicious insiders from those of honest intent; ability to increase levels of surveillance or limitation of access as increasing suspicion dictates to minimize damage; and extendable scripting language for handling various types of anomalies tailored for the subject domain. RTISFS will accomplish this according to all applicable legal procedures in such a way that all potential response options are maintained: legal action, turning, use of insider as unwitting communication channel, and collection and penetration of the adversary actor. |
| Intelligent Fusion Technology, Inc
39 Timber Rock Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20878 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(240) 481-5397
Genshe Chen SB111-004 Awarded:6/30/2011 |
| Title: | VHF/UHF Emitter Localization Based on DOA Fusion with Two UAS |
| Abstract: | I-Fusion presents a emitter localization technique based on the fusion of DOA obtained at two flying small UAS. Each UAS is equipped with a nonlinear smart antenna system for signal detection and DOA estimation and a GPS receiver for time synchronization and UAS localization. The whole desired frequency band is scanned using hierarchical coarse and fine searching method to maintain the scanning speed and low power consumption. The DOA estimation uses a hierarchical (coarse and fine) delay and sum (DAS) searching method. For the alignment of the two DOA from the two UAS, the DOA is marked with time tag and the signal’s spectrum signature is also extracted. The DOA with time tag, the corresponding signal’s spectrum signature and the UAS position are transmitted to the ground control station through the control channel, where the DOA coming from the two UAS are aligned based on the time tag and spectrum signature and then fused to localize the emitter. The proposed localization system covers the VHF and UHF push to talk radio and cordless phone frequency. It only cost 615mW, weights 148g and its size is 70mm(L)×50mm(W)×18mm(D). |
| MAV6
1619 Walnut Street Vicksburg, MS 39180 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(703) 340-1304
Jay Kim SB111-004 Awarded:4/15/2011 |
| Title: | WASP-III Advanced Reconnaissance Device Network (WARDN) |
| Abstract: | The WASP-III Advanced Reconnaissance Device Network (WARDN) is a miniaturized VHF/UHF emitter geolocation system targeted for installation on micro-UAV platforms. The Mav6 design approach of embedded antenna design, compact RF circuit design, and load balancing the signal processing and geolocation tasks between the airborne payload and the ground unit enables significant size, weight, and power optimizations. Designed with the WASP-III payload form factor in mind, WARDN can be installed in larger UAS such as the RQ-11 Raven and the Boeing ScanEagle. The Mav6 proposed design is flexible, cost effective, manufacturable, and scalable across various TTPs and CONOPs involving one or several UAVs. WARDN will provide the operators with RF situational awareness to assist in tactical decision making on the go. |
| QUASAR Federal Systems, Inc.
5754 Pacific Center Blvd. Suite 203 San Diego, CA 92121 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(858) 412-1814
Pablo Prado SB111-004 Awarded:4/21/2011 |
| Title: | VHF/UHF Emitter location from micro Unmanned Aerial Systems |
| Abstract: | The US Army has a need for a radio transmitter location system that can be deployed in a tactical situation to enable the detection and geolocation of VHF/UHF handheld transceivers in real time. Use of conventional radio direction finding (DF) approaches to cover the two decades in frequency required by the solicitation (VHF+UHF) will necessitate four conventional arrays, for a total of approximately 20 antennas. This number of antennas and peripheral equipment necessary to their implementation would constitute a payload too large and heavy for most UAV platforms, including those named in this solicitation. Over the past five years QUASAR Federal Systems (QFS) has pioneered a new approach to RF transmitter geolocation with which it is possible to geolocate the source of the transmission in a single measurement with an accuracy comparable to that of conventional methods. QFS has extensive experience mounting its custom systems into a variety of airborne platforms, including a small UAS. Phase I of this program will consist of defining the specifications for system components and, in the option, conducting a risk assessment. In Phase II, we will develop and build a prototype and mount it on a UAS. |
| Scientific Systems Company, Inc
500 West Cummings Park - Ste 3000 Woburn, MA 01801 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(781) 933-5355
Eric Wemhoff SB111-004 Awarded:4/14/2011 |
| Title: | System for Detection, Identification, and Geolocation of Radio Emitters with low-Swap Sensors (DIGRESS) |
| Abstract: | There is currently no convenient, effective way to detect, identify, and geolocate (DIG) personal UHF/VHF radio communications devices in field operations. These are commonly used by adversary command, control, and spotter activity. The techniques used by special ops, search and rescue, and electronic warfare personnel do not satisfy this need because soldiers in field situations lack the time, mobility, highly trained personnel, specialized equipment, and airborne ELINT assets that these methods variously require. There is new opportunity in increased availability to ground forces of micro/small unmanned aerial systems (MUAS). These can provide altitude, LOS, and mobility for sensor equipment. Two main challenges remain, however: onboard payload SWAP limits direction-finding (DF) prospects, and operation of the system can still be challenging. We are developing: small, actively tuned antennas; receiver hardware, and data fusion algorithms that can overcome the limitations for traditional direction-finding (DF) systems. The system has less than one foot-pound-watt SWAP, with good DIG performance, to be verified in phase1. It will automatically collect and combine data from any available system receivers, DIG the emitters present, and show a visual summary of results, along with aids to the operator including UAV trajectories for optimal geolocation speed and accuracy. |