Exploring the feasibility of bioaerosol analysis as a novel fingerprinting technique

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to investigate the feasibility of bioaerosol fingerprinting based on current understanding of cellular debris (with emphasis on human-emitted particulates) in aerosols and arguments regarding sampling, sensitivity, separations, and detection schemes. Target aerosol particles include cellular material and proteins emitted by humans, animals, and plants and can be regarded as information-rich packets that carry biochemical information specific to the living organisms present where the sample is collected. In this work we discuss sampling and analysis techniques that can be integrated with molecular (e.g. protein)-detection procedures to properly assess the aerosolized cellular material of interest. Developing a detailed understanding of bioaerosol molecular profiles in different environments suggests exciting possibilities of bioaerosol analysis with applications ranging from military defense to medical diagnosis and wildlife identification.

Figure 1

Overall Schematic of Bioaerosol Fingerprinting Technology. The proposed technology consists of the development of devices for collection and analysis of bioaerosol signatures as a new “fingerprinting” technology. Target bioaerosol particles such as human-emitted dead skin cells, pervasively exist as suspended aerosolized particulates that contain biochemical information unique to their source. This information, most likely in the form of DNA and protein polymorphisms, could be exploited to obtain a biochemical signature from a location of interest. Signal analysis involving biometric comparison of signatures to a database can provide insights into potential and/or actual presence of individuals in a particular area. The development of such technology will require integration and refinement of existing but cutting-edge technologies for aerosol sample collection and automated biochemical analysis.

Figure 2

Diagram of the epidermal desquamation process [9]. Humans shed approximately billions of cells per day. Each skin flake is the product of a program of differentiation that ends on easily-detachable corneocytes. As desquamation occurs, dead skin cells settle slowly in the air providing an unexploited opportunity to obtain biochemical information unique to their source from aerosolized samples.