Nanotrap

Originally developed to capture low levels of human growth hormone from urine specimens (indicating drug doping), nanotrap technology is expanding as quickly as bait molecules can be found to secure a substance of interest.  Nanotraps are made of hydrogels with a porous surface that can close or open in an electrical current.  Inside, a chemical bait attracts its relevant protein biomarker from a bodily fluid.  MALDI mass spectroscopy then analyzes the biomarker.  Lance Liotta and Emanuel Petricoin ,at George Mason University, pioneered this technology.     MORE

Image Credit:    Schimadzu