New biosensor developed
Scientists from the Purdue University have developed a new biosensor, based on nanomedicine standards, which is able to detect glucose in blood and potentially many more molecules.
The device is a tiny cube-shaped tetherball, and uses hollow structures called single-wall carbon nanotubes anchored to gold-coated nanocubes.
“Each tetherball is a sensor and is anchored to electronic circuitry by a nanotube, which acts as both a tether and ultrathin wire to conduct electrical signals,” said Professor Timothy Fisher, who lead the research. He also said that this device detects glucose in blood better than any other device on the market and that it could be used in various branches of medicine to detect numerous biological molecules.
“It might be part of a catheter to continuously monitor blood glucose for diabetics,” said Associate Professor Marshall Porterfield. “And it might have many other applications, including basic scientific research to study diseases and biological processes.”
The research is published in ACS Nano.
Source: upi.com/Science_News/2009/01/22/Precise_nanotechnology_biosensor_developed/UPI-41801232652682/
