A European Commission-funded project has developed a lab-on-a-chip that can monitor drinking water and spot different pathogens, even at very low concentrations. The detection system, which is partially based on nanotechnology, could warn authorities if pathogens enter into a water supply network. The device uses sensors that have strands of different pathogenic DNA integrated onto their surfaces, so they quickly recognize pathogenic DNA from water samples. The device’s sensors will only bind with corresponding DNA in the water sample. A reaction called chemiluminescence causes the bound DNAs to emit light, and these nanoscale reactions can be interpreted by a computer. The goal of the project is to eliminate the need to bring water samples to the laboratory for analysis. Instead, they hope to bring the laboratory to the water, which would speed up the detection process substantially. Authorities could be alerted of a biological threat via e-mail or mobile phone. The system could become a more cost effective way of testing, and could significantly improve water safety, alone or in combination with other sensors.
http://www.youris.com/Nano/Water_Filtering/A_New_Detection_System_Can_Reveal_Bioterrorist_Attacks_On_Our_Water_Supply_Network.kl