The development of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry for the detection of biological warfare agent aerosols

The best defensive measures against a biological weapons attack are to dete rmine the agent(s) used and rapidly identify the exposed populations. Howev er, technologies to accomplish these goals are only in their infancy. Throu gh Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency sponsorship, the APL Tiny Time -of-Flight (TOF) Mass Spectrometer Program is attempting to close this wind ow of vulnerability by developing a miniature, field-portable, and automate d system for the rapid point detection of biological warfare agent aerosols . This article compares chemical and biological weapons properties to descr ibe why matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectromet ry (MS) is an attractive tool for a biological weapons detection system. Ex perimental MALDI-TOF-MS spectra acquired from bacterial spore aerosol. part icles are presented to illustrate: the approaches used in developing this s ystem.