Biological agents have been potent weapons for ages. Found easily in nature and difficult to detect, they have been used such that public places from the street to official buildings have become targets of bioterrorism.  

Scientists and engineers at MIT have come up with a pioneering biosensor that can detect microorganisms in the air in less than two minutes. “There is a real need to detect a pathogen in less than three minutes, so you have time to take action before it is too late,” said Harper, the lead scientist developing the sensor.

The technology used is known as the CANARY sensor technology. It uses nature’s own defense system: the B cells present in the immune system of humans. The technology uses an array of these B cells - each specific for a particular bacterium or virus. The advantage of using B cells is their sensitivity and speed as compared to other sensors.

This technology has been used in a device called PANTHER (Pathogen Notification for Threatening Environmental Releases), that is not only portable but also enables testing of air samples. The device brings air samples in contact with genetically-engineered biosensors to detect dangerous bio-organisms. The device contains antibodies that can be used to detect different microorganisms present in the air. When a certain pathogen comes in contact with the antibodies they give off a photon of light of a particular wavelength. Detectors are used to measure these wavelengths and determine the type of pathogen corresponding to the wavelength. The machine then gives a list of any pathogens that may be present in the air. If a dangerous pathogen is present the sensor goes off, thus alerting anybody in harm’s way. The operation of the device, according to scientists, is as easy as loading a DVD player.

The CANARY technology uses jellyfish DNA that has been injected into mouse cells using high voltage. As a result we get cells that have the ability to glow. The glowing cells go off when pathogens are detected by the PANTHER device.

The device can be used in subways, buildings and other public areas. Currently it can detect 24 pathogens including smallpox and anthrax.


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