Griffith Announces $39.9 Million ARPA-H Award to Virginia Tech

The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-H) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $39.9 million award. The funding will support development of a new biosensor that enables real-time, ultrasensitive detection of specific pathogens and allergens using nanobody-based technology. The funding is supported by the agency's Building Resilient Environments for Air and Total Health (BREATHE) program. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

"ARPA-H is dedicated to reducing airborne threats to human health.

"This $39.9 million award to Virginia Tech as part of the BREATHE program solidifies the university's commitment to advancing indoor air quality solutions for the benefit of public health."

BACKGROUND

The BREATHE program aims to advance the next generation of smart and healthy buildings. BREATHE awards go towards developing integrated systems that provide continual measurement and risk assessment of indoor air quality and deploy real-time interventions to reduce airborne threats to human health.

Groups also selected to participate in the program include the Mayo Clinic, Poppy Health, Inc. and SafeTraces, Inc.

This project will also deliver software that translates data from the biosensor, building, community and environment to respiratory risk, and tools to optimize proven interventions that reduce bioaerosol concentrations and maintain healthy conditions.

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