Nano-based biosensor is developed

RICHLAND, Wash., Aug. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists are developing a small, portable biosensor to rapidly monitor tiny samples of blood or saliva for exposure to nerve agents.

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers, led by Yuehe Lin, said the sensor -- resembling a pregnancy test strip and a small glucose testing meter -- addresses a major concern associated with possible chemical or nerve agent terrorism: the need to quickly distinguish between individuals who have been exposed and the "worried well."

Every disease has biomarkers -- changes in proteins that announce something is wrong. Lin and his team are creating a nanoparticle “label” that can increase the ability of a sensor to detect and interpret the message of biomarkers.

“Current test strip based-immunoassay technology has very good selectivity but it can only give a positive or negative response,” Lin said.

Lin presented the $3.5 million, five-year research effort Sunday in Boston, during the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society.