Mustard gas, commonly referred to as sulfur mustard, ranks among the most dangerous chemical warfare substances, inflicting blistering on skin and mucous membranes upon exposure. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have secured a $1 million contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to create an innovative method for identifying this chemical arsenal on the battlefield.
Quick identification of sulfur mustard is vital for reducing its harmful effects, as stated by Jennifer Heemstra, the Charles Allen Thomas Professor of Chemistry in Arts & Sciences and head investigator of the newly awarded DTRA grant.
“Detecting sulfur mustard is crucial, as there is no antidote once individuals are exposed,” Heemstra remarked. “Detection is essential to avert exposure, and presently, effective technologies for rapid on-site identification are lacking.”
Mustard gas has been utilized in conflicts during World War I, World War II, and the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. Exposure to mustard gas typically does not result in death, yet can lead to temporary or permanent vision impairment, second- and third-degree burns, as well as other severe respiratory issues.
Post-conflict, military members, contractors, and civilians responsible for detonating or managing explosive ordnance may still encounter mustard agents. Current detection techniques for sulfur mustard involve costly equipment and specialized sample analysis, rendering them impractical for the immediate detection required in the field.
With this new grant, Heemstra and her team, including M.G. Finn from Georgia Institute of Technology, will establish a new, efficient method for detecting an entire category of chemical compounds known as vesicants, which includes sulfur mustard.
“We will first concentrate on model substances that mimic mustards but can be safely handled in the lab. This approach will enable us to experiment with various molecular sensor designs, with the Heemstra lab collaborating closely with ours on complementary tactics,” said Finn. Other key team members involve Joseph Ibukun, a postdoctoral research associate at WashU; Seth Taylor, a postdoctoral research associate at Georgia Tech; and Makenzie Walk, a graduate student at WashU.
The researchers will employ nucleic acid molecular recognition to create biomolecules that initially attach to specific vesicants and subsequently trigger a series of reactions that produce a distinctly visible fluorescent signal.
“Often, sensors produce a straightforward, linear output — where detecting one molecule generates a single signal molecule at the end,” Heemstra elaborated. “In this case, we intend to create an amplified output so that for each toxin molecule, multiple signal molecules are generated, allowing detection by the naked eye.”
Collaborators at Georgia Tech have specialized knowledge in generating amplified signals using dendrimers — synthetic molecules characterized by a highly organized, branching structure.
“With this type of branched molecule, we produce increasingly more branches with each generation,” Heemstra explained. “Following a reaction with a toxin molecule, we anticipate that we can initiate a cascading reaction that releases dye molecules at each branching point.”
Addressing threats posed by weapons of mass destruction is critical for military personnel, but this research also has potential benefits for civilians.
Heemstra highlights the case of another chemical weapon, sarin, utilized during the Iran-Iraq War. In military settings, it is administered in high concentrations and can be lethal within minutes. However, certain organophosphate pesticides may share a similar structure and biological action as sarin, albeit with reduced toxicity. Over time, individuals exposed to these pesticides may endure chronic organophosphate poisoning.
“Less potent versions of toxins employed in warfare and as chemical agents are present in everyday circumstances,” Heemstra stated. “If not properly managed, they pose a genuine threat to society and human health.”
About the Defense Threat Reduction Agency: DTRA is a defense organization that offers comprehensive solutions to empower the Department of Defense, the U.S. government, and global partners in deterring strategic attacks against the United States and its allies; preventing, reducing, and countering weapons of mass destruction and emerging dangers; and succeeding against adversaries armed with weapons of mass destruction during crises and conflicts. In fiscal year 2024, WashU secured over $15 million in contract funding from the Department of Defense.
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