Diazoluminomelanin (DALM)

Diazoluminomelanin (DALM) is a spiral linear polymer compound which, when synthesized within bacteria, sensitize them to destruction by microwave energy. It is also a reporter molecule that luminesces when oxidized and heated by conventional means or radio frequency energy. The genes for its production have been isolated and cloned, and are being engineered to respond to the presence of various toxic chemicals. DALM can be used in place of an inorganic semiconductor as a label for aptamer binding. It has been demonstrated to work for detection and identification of biological target agents. DALM can be detected by the following methods: (1) Chemiluminescence (when oxidized, it produces its own light), (2) Fluorescence (using an excitation light to get it to glow at a different wavelength, color), (3) Electroluminescence (passing electricity through it or exciting it with microwave energy; it will light up and even re-emit a different frequency radio or electromagnetic pulse). When DALM is connected to a target with a specific aptamer and is excited sufficiently by the forms of energy mentioned above, it “kills” the target or destroys it by mediating oxidations (comparable to a slow “burn”) or sudden, very rapid bursts of energy transfer (cavitations, like micro-explosions). This method can enhance or replace the cold-plasma kill method by providing a means to use pulsed microwaves at a distance to destroy an agent labeled with DALM/aptamer. The feasibility of such an approach has been demonstrated by the Air Force Research Laboratory and published in Kiel et al, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, volume 30, No. 4, 4 August 2002, 1482-1488 and under two SBIR contracts. More importantly, without DALM, it is not practicable to reach energies capable of killing the biological agents; this has been confirmed by other work sponsored by the Army Research Laboratory. The DALM produced by bacteria and other cells is also transferable to plastic surfaces, leading to passive sensors being developed from DALM-coated, microwave-sensitive film. The DALM coatings may be laser activated and emissions read from a distance. By associating the fluorescent polymer with various specific binding and sensing agents, changes in fluorescence can indicate the presence of certain chemical or physical agents. This bundle of patents provides all necessary steps required from development to manufacturing.