The Change Mariner

New Sensor Developed at UC Santa Barbara Can Detect DNA in One Step

AScribe Newswire

Imagine that your doctor, using a small hand-held sensor, could detect from a drop of your blood if you carry the gene for cystic fibrosis, or whether or not you have HIV. Or on the battlefield, a soldier could wear a small sensor that detects the smallest amount of anthrax in the air. In the food industry the same type of sensor could check for the DNA signature of salmonella.

Perhaps the most timely application of this new technology would be the possibility of providing immediate detection of biological weapons in civil defense, with sensors placed in airports, subways, post offices and similar settings.