Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Jellyfish Fight Terrorists

Now, this innovative biosensor developed by scientists and engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory can identify harmful bacteria or viruses in the air in less than two minutes. - ivan

Biochemists And Engineers Create Fast-acting Pathogen Sensor.

Engineers invented a device to bring air samples into contact with genetically engineered biosensors in the effort to detect dangerous biological agents. The technology uses multiple collections of altered cell antibodies, each collection designed to respond to a specific pathogen by releasing photons of a unique wavelength upon finding it. Detectors measure the photons' wavelengths and interpret the pathogens they represent.

Anthrax, plague and small pox are some of the possible pathogens terrorists could use against us; but now, researchers say jellyfish are helping prevent these kinds of attacks.

From public transportation to federal and government buildings, experts are naming likely targets of bioterrorism.

Now, this innovative biosensor developed by scientists and engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory can identify harmful bacteria or viruses in the air in less than two minutes.

"It's at least ten times faster than any other automated sensor that's available," says James Harper, a biochemist and engineer at MIT. ... - sciencedaily

Video here.

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