Drexel Researcher Awarded 599999 EPA Grant to Develop Near-Real Time Water Toxin Biosensor

What: Dr. Raj Mutharasan, Frank A. Fletcher Professor of Chemical Engineering at Drexel University, has been awarded a $599,999 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a biosensor to detect toxins and toxin-producers in source and finished water in near-real time. In an emergency situation, such as the aftermath of flooding or epidemic of disease, it is necessary to determine if contaminates are present in drinking water and what those contaminants are. Mutharasan’s biosensors are rugged, efficient and highly sensitive, capable of detecting beyond parts per trillion. These qualities are necessary for first responders examining water for potential biological threats. Who: --Dr. Raj Mutharasan, Frank A. Fletcher Professor of Chemical Engineering, Drexel University --Dr. Giuseppe Palmese, Chemical & Biological Engineering department head, Drexel University --Don Welsh, Regional Administrator for Region III, Environmental Protection AgencyVisuals: --Check presentation and remarks at 10:30 --Mutharasan speaking about his research --Welsh presenting the check to MutharasanWhen: Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, from 10-11 a.m. Where: 31st and Market Streets, LeBow Engineering Center (between the Center for Automated Technology and the Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center), Speitel Conference Room 231News media contact: Craig Eisenberger, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-2705, 215-518-0577(cell) cae24@drexel.edu