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Zeteo Tech, Inc.

Address

6935 WARFIELD AVE
SYKESVILLE, MD, 21784-7454
USA

View website

UEI: Q5CRCJW547Z6

Number of Employees: 18

HUBZone Owned: No

Woman Owned: No

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No

SBIR/STTR Involvement

Year of first award: 2014

Phase I Awards

Phase II Awards

60%

Conversion Rate

$2,386,437

Phase I Dollars

$9,723,317

Phase II Dollars

$12,109,754

Total Awarded

Awards

Up to 10 of the most recent awards are being displayed. To view all of this company's awards, visit the Award Data search page.

High Mass MALDI TOF Employing a Novel High-Tc Superconducting Ion Detector

Amount: $271,495 Topic: 400

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of antibodies and related macromolecular immune complexes is a prerequisite for determining their identity, binding partners, stoichiometries, and affinities. Native mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique capable of measuring the mass of such complexes. As any binding event leads to a corresponding increase in mass, native MS offers an accurate readout of ligand binding and can readily distinguish different binding stoichiometries and different ligands by their unique masses. Two soft ionization techniques are typically used to generate ions for mass analysis: electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix- assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI). Native MS using ESI for analysis of complex samples encounter significant challenges in interpreting highly complicated spectra because of intrinsic protein heterogeneity. MALDI is a robust ionization technique which produces mostly singly charged ions thus minimizing spectral complexity. However, its application in native MS is hampered by low sensitivity of currently available ion detectors for high m/z ions. The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a system for fast analysis of antibodies and related macromolecular immune complexes based on time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer with MALDI ionization. High m/z ion detection will be realized using a novel high-temperature superconducting nanowire detector. To cool down the detector to the required temperature an inexpensive commercially available compact cryocooler, which operates without any consumables, will be used.

SBIR

Phase I

2024

HHS

NIH

Real-Time Aerosol Monitoring for Harmful Algal Blooms and Toxins via MALDI-TOF MS

Amount: $174,707 Topic: 9.2

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) detrimentally impact the health of populations and economies on a global scale. Toxins produced by these algae affect sources of food and water. Another less well understood result of HAB is the aerosolization of the toxins they produce. The initial consequences of toxin inhalation on human health are being revealed through elevated hospitalization rates in coastal regions during HAB events. Research in this area is hampered by the inability to accurately determine exposure levels due to the transient nature of aerosolized toxins. Screening the aerosol environment of coastal regions rapidly, accurately, and affordably for a wide range of algal toxins will provide relevant agencies with necessary real-time aerosol identification capabilities. Our proposed solution is a portable, fieldable, automated MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer that can act as an early warning system for coastal populations. The knowledge generated from this technology would enable local officials to make informed decisions on emerging algal blooms more quickly, better protecting coastal communities and industries. The system could revolutionize the discovery of emerging HAB, allowing aerosolized algae and toxins to be identified and quantified. This novel capability will empower future research into the impacts of aerosolized algal toxins on human health.

SBIR

Phase I

2024

DOC

NOAA

Modular Aerosol Sampler for Microsensors

Amount: $196,796 Topic: A23B-T019

In this Phase I effort, Zeteo Tech in collaboration with Texas A&M University, will develop the Modular Aerosol Sampler for Microsensors.Ā The aerosol sampling platform will facility both a wet-walled cyclone module and an impaction-based module, with ōplug and playö capability to enable developers with microsensor technology and end-users to make rapid measurements in the field.Ā The sampler system will be designed to weigh less than 0.3 kilograms and less than 0.5 liters in volume, including the battery and sample the air with high efficiency at a flow rate of at least 10 liters per minute.Ā Further, these collectors are expected to have a cost of goods sold of less than $300.

STTR

Phase I

2024

DOD

ARMY

Multiplexed Biothreat Detection with Fieldable Mass Spectrometry

Amount: $1,499,731 Topic: DHS211-011

The Zeteo developed BioTOF system is designed to autonomously collect air samples and rapidly identify the presence of a biological threat. This effort will augment BioTOF system to provide an enhanced capability to analyze the proteomic characteristics of a potential threat. Zeteo will develop a stand-alone “Hot Acid” module suitable for integration with either the BioTOF (baseline effort) or digitalMALDI (optional effort) that will consist of: Automated aerosol sample collection and transfer to the Hot Acid module in solvent or buffer. Reusable Hot Acid digestion cartridge that will accept a liquid sample and conduct a proteomic digest. Fluidics to transfer the digested sample to either a BioTOF sample cap (baseline effort) or to an aerosol generation module for injection into digitalMALDI (optional effort). Bioinformatic Protein Identification Software The system will be tested with representative BSL-1 materials to include all classes of biological threats (spore, vegetative cells, virus, and toxin). Samples will be manually provided to the BioTOF (baseline effort) and digitalMALDI (optional effort) systems for analysis. Testing will also include environmental interferents such as brake dust, diesel smoke, and pollen.

SBIR

Phase II

2024

DHS

DNDO

Miniature TOF Mass Spectrometer with Enhanced Resolution

Amount: $899,563 Topic: S13

Zeteo Tech, Inc. nbsp;proposes to design, develop and prototype a robust, small size, weight, and power (SWaP) TOF mass spectrometer with enhanced mass resolving power (m/Delta;m ge; 25,000, FWHM) along with a full, practically unlimited mass range (from 10 Da to 10,000 Da), which will allow in situ detection of organic and biomolecules in complex mixtures. It is based on a novel design of a multi-reflection TOF using microfabrication techology with no overlap of ions with different m/z, which results in the whole mass range being recorded. The mass analyzer operates at low static voltages (a few hundred volts). Using static voltages (without pulsing) simplifies the electronics and minimizes power consumption for the proposed miniature mass spectrometer. We estimate the mass spectrometer weight as about 3 kg and power consumption less than 50 W (without vacuum pumps). Initially, the mass spectrometer will be operated with a laser/desorption ionization ion source using tightly focused pulsed UV laser. LDI mode of operation allows direct organics detection in complex matrices with minimal sample preparation. High mass resolving power provided by the multireflection TOF mass analyzer will allow to differentiate compounds with nearly identical molecular weights, e.g. leucine (monoisotopic mass 131.095 g/mole), and creatine (monoisotopic mass 113.059 g/mole). nbsp;Later, we will extend its applications for gas chromatography-electron impact (GC-EI) ionization and other ionization methods, including, but not limited, to ionization at elevated pressures, such as laser spray and electrospray (ESI).

SBIR

Phase II

2024

NASA

Miniature TOF Mass Spectrometer with Enhanced Resolution

Amount: $149,965 Topic: S13

SBIR

Phase I

2023

NASA

Field Portable Bioaerosol Identification with Miniaturized MALDI TOF MS

Amount: $871,587 Topic: CBD212-003

All detection/identification systems face the same challenges which are summed up in what we call the five “S’s” – Sensitivity, Specificity, Speed, SWAP (size, weight, and power), and Co$t-per-Test. The tradeoffs between these factors determine the applicability of the detection/identification system to support operational needs. Our low cost is driven by the elimination of agent specific reagents. MALDI TOF MS uses commonly available chemicals and are not subject to the supply chain issues that plague PCR and immunoassay based bioidentifiers. Our detection method is based on MALDI (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization) mass spectrometry, which over the past several years has become a gold standard clinical diagnostic tool. The Zeteo team has been developing this science and technology over several years. The system samples individual bioaerosol particles and uses laser-based, Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF MS) to determine the masses of the biomolecules (proteins, peptide, lipids, carbohydrates) across a wide mass range (100-100,000 Daltons). This technique was pioneered by the Zeteo team when employed at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL) and, in one format, has been commercially transitioned to clinical diagnostic laboratories worldwide where >10,000 different clinical isolates are accurately identified. This powerful technique measures specific threat signature masses derived directly from the genome of the threat organism, or toxin-producing organism, (analogous to PCR or WGS signatures) and are not class-generic spectral features typical of infrared or Raman approaches. While the bioidentifier has excellent specificity and sensitivity (~100 organism) for nucleic acid-containing microbes, it also has outstanding specificity and sensitivity (pg) for biological toxins, and other biochemical threats. The threat databases for the sensor can instantly be updated at the system level, as signatures and algorithms improve, and new threats are added. The effort proposed here combines a novel electrospray method to prepare particles for analysis, significantly reducing pumping size and power requirements. Ions are formed in a low vacuum region before entering the high vacuum of the mass analyzer. In Phase I we demonstrated the efficacy of each of the major system components. Leveraging on the successful results from our Phase I SBIR effort, we propose development and deployment of an advanced detection system that features non-invasive sampling, carries out automated sample preparation, provides an answer in < 1 minute, has high sensitivity (zeptomoles of sample), specific (based on Gold Standard Clinical Assays), and low-cost (pennies-per-test). We will also leverage our experience with AI processing of single particle MALDI spectra to demonstrate the ability to detect trace levels of threat agent (10’s of particles) in complex backgrounds.

SBIR

Phase II

2023

DOD

CBD

Noninvasive Diagnostic Markers of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Amount: $1,912,348 Topic: NIAID

Project Summary/Abstract Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is the most common infectious cause of death. LRTI affects patients more often in ICUs, especially patients with mechanical ventilators. Early initiation of short-course antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone in managing mechanically ventilated patients with LRTI. However, using the current clinical criteria, a diagnosis of LRTI is typically not made until an infection in the lower respiratory tract is well established. To address the current limitations, molecular diagnostic technologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based multiplex assays have been developed. However, they cannot distinguish between colonization and infection. Therefore, a more sophisticated diagnostic methodology is needed for LRTI diagnosis and management. Human exhaled air has great potential to address the current limitations in diagnosing LRTI. However, the lack of a suitable collection system for clinical use put a major barrier to exploring the medical potential of using human exhaled air. To address these limitations, Zeteo Tech renovated the capture mechanism and developed a novel collection system, BreathBiomicsTM, for biomolecules for human breath analysis. Specifically, we demonstrated that BreathBiomicsTM could be configured into mechanical ventilators for collecting biomolecules in the exhaled air from intubated patients in intensive care units. Most importantly, by characterizing these biomolecules using mass spectrometry, we identified truncated proteoforms, which are the products of activated proteases, and demonstrated that truncated proteoforms had the diagnostic potential for LRTI in a pilot study. Considering this evidence, we propose to determine whether truncated proteoforms in human exhaled air can be used as a noninvasive method for LRTI diagnosis and early prediction of LRTI in mechanically ventilated patients. Our work would largely assist decision-making for clinicians regarding antibiotic treatment and dramatically improve patients' clinical outcomes by limiting antibiotic requirements and minimizing harmful exposure to unnecessary antibiotic treatment.

SBIR

Phase II

2023

HHS

NIH

Multiplexed Biothreat Detection with Fieldable Mass Spectrometry

Amount: $995,763 Topic: DHS211-011

Our Phase 1 effort demonstrated that high resolution MALDI-MS can reliably deconvolve complex mixtures and accurately identify the individual components. The Phase 1 prototype was an enhanced version of a mass analyzer like that of the BioTOF system and demonstrated both enhanced resolution and higher sensitivity. This effort will further improve mass resolution and sensitivity and result in a High-Performance BioTOF platform. We will upgrade existing real-time BioTOF signal processing and classification software to incorporate multiplex classification capability and statistically analyze performance.During the first three months of this effort, we will integrate these enhancements to produce the first High-Performance BioTOF system. After integration, we will verify operability and performance with simulant mixtures, followed by testing in BSL-2 with mixtures of five inactive agents. A second system will be completed by the end of month six, and we will begin field testing as these systems are completed. Two additional systems will be completed by month 14 allowing us to ramp up field testing from two to four sites. To examining signature stability over time, one of these systems will undergo inactive agent testing in MRIGlobalâ€™s BSL-2 laboratory during year two. Using agent data collected at MRIGlobal we will train a classifier to detect both single agents and mixtures of up to five agents. This classifier will be installed into the current BioTOF real-time system and will be utilized during field tests. Additionally, field test data will be archived for further post-collection analysis, algorithm optimization and ROC curve generation.

SBIR

Phase II

2022

DHS

CWMD

Field Portable Bioaerosol Identification with Miniaturized MALDI TOF MSÃÂ ÃÂ

Amount: $167,460 Topic: CBD212-003

Rapid, real-time bioaerosol identification is a key aspect in preventive measures for infectious disease outbreaks, e.g. SARS-CoV-2 or tuberculosis. Current screening tools are either non-specific, or are slow, costly, and reagent burdened. As with most respiratory pathogens, such diseases are primarily spread through human discharge of pathogen-containing droplets created by coughing, sneezing or even normal breathing. The ability to rapidly, accurately, and affordably screen environment for a wide range of aerosolized pathogens arising from agricultural sources and human exhaled breath is critical to control the spread of these types of communicable diseases. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique for fast identification of biomolecules because of its high speed, specificity, and sensitivity. Real-time analysis of airborne particles containing pathogen organisms by field-portable MS-based system will help identify infected individuals and improve response and management to mitigate disease spread. The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a field-portable mass spectrometry-based diagnostic/screening system that analyzes respired aerosols on-the-fly and provides rapid, accurate information about the infectiousness of the patient at extremely low cost-per-sample. The proposed system that combines efficient bioaerosol collection coupled with rapid processing and miniature mass spectrometer will provide a novel, non-invasive methodology for sensitive detection of infectious persons. The capability to conduct automated and constant air monitoring for presence of aerosolized pathogens will radically improve the ability to deal with pandemic threats

SBIR

Phase I

2022

DOD

CBD