The Pathogenic Aerosol Containment Trap

Respiratory infections that are caused by the transmission of airborne pathogens pose an enormous burden to human health and the global economy. Researchers in biocontainment facilities that use methodologies of pathogen aerosolization and collection are required to exert tremendous effort and resources to satisfy biosafety requirements.

While some insights into the inactivation of these pathogens may be garnered from studies conducted in bulk samples, it is unclear how these mechanisms occur under the extreme concentrations of salts and biomolecules unique to the aerosol phase.

Our aim is to provide biological containment facilities with tools and methodologies from the field of aerosol science to conduct their research with significantly reduced complexity and without compromising safety requirements.

Our solution addresses the limitation of studies focusing on pathogenic aerosol particles. It will make the chemical environment unattainable in a standard test-tube sample, accessible to biocontainment facilities around the world. As a result, we expect a global acceleration of research into the viability and inactivation of airborne pathogens. This knowledge is crucial for mitigating the damage these pathogens cause by encouraging evidence-based interventions for airborne disease control.

The Pathogenic Aerosol Containment Trap; A novel platform for the study of airborne pathogens.