Zeteo Tech, Inc. is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $175,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This funding under grant number NA24OARX021G0001-T1-01 will support the development of a groundbreaking portable, fieldable, automated MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer designed to detect and quantify aerosolized toxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HAB).
Harmful algal blooms have long been recognized as a significant and urgent threat to public health and the environment. The toxins produced by these algae not only contaminate food and water sources but also pose a lesser-known danger through aerosolization. Inhalation of these airborne toxins has been linked to increased hospitalization rates in coastal areas during HAB events. However, the transient nature of these aerosolized toxins has made it challenging to accurately assess exposure levels and their impact on human health.
Zeteo Tech’s proposed solution addresses this critical gap by providing a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective method for screening the aerosol environment of coastal regions for a wide range of algal toxins. The portable mass spectrometer will serve as an early warning system, allowing local officials to make informed real-time decisions on emerging algal blooms, ultimately protecting coastal populations and economies.
“We are thrilled to receive this NOAA SBIR Phase I award, which will enable us to advance our research and development of this detection system for aerosolized toxins,” said Tom McCreery, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at Zeteo Tech. “This technology has the potential not just to improve but revolutionize the way we monitor and respond to harmful algal blooms, providing critical data that can safeguard public health and support future research into the effects of these toxins on human health.”
The knowledge generated from this innovative system will not only enhance the detection of emerging HABs but also empower researchers and policymakers with the tools needed to mitigate their impact on coastal communities and industries.
As Zeteo Tech embarks on this critical project, it looks forward to collaborating with NOAA and other stakeholders to bring this vital technology to fruition.