NASA has developed a revolutionary nanotechnology-based biosensor that can detect
trace amounts of specific bacteria, viruses and parasites. This biosensor
will be used to help prevent the spread of potentially deadly biohazards in
water, food and other contaminated sources.
NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California licensed the
biosensor technology to Early Warning Inc., Troy, N.Y. Under a Reimbursable
Space Act Agreement, NASA and Early Warning jointly will develop biosensor
enhancements. Initially, the biosensor will be configured to detect the
presence of common and rare strains of microorganisms associated with
water-borne illnesses and fatalities.
"The biosensor makes use of ultra-sensitive carbon nanotubes which can
detect biohazards at very low levels," explained Meyya Meyyappan, chief
scientist for exploration technology and former director of the Center for
Nanotechnology at Ames. "When biohazards are present, the biosensor
generates an electrical signal, which is used to determine the presence and
concentration levels of specific micro-organisms in the sample. Because of
their tiny size, millions of nanotubes can fit on a single biosensor chip."
Early Warning company officials say food and beverage companies, water
agencies, industrial plants, hospitals and airlines could use the biosensor
to prevent outbreaks of illnesses caused by pathogens - without needing a
laboratory or technicians.
"Biohazard outbreaks from pathogens and infectious diseases occur every
day in the U.S. and throughout the world," said Neil Gordon, president of
Early Warning. "The key to preventing major outbreaks is frequent and
comprehensive testing for each suspected pathogen, as most occurrences of
pathogens are not detected until after people get sick or die. Biohazards
can enter the water supply and food chain from a number of sources which
are very difficult to uncover.
Early Warning expects to launch its water-testing products in late
2008.
"Ambitious space missions have produced some of the world's most
creative technologies by NASA and its industrial partners," said Harry
Partridge, deputy director of the Space Technologies Division at Ames. "Not
only does NASA want these technologies used in space applications, an
equally important objective is the transition of NASA research into real
world products that can benefit our society."
Source: NASA
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