Sensor Detects E. Coli

Foodborne illnesses strike about 48 million people in the US every year, which often results is massive product recalls. E. coli bacteria are a common cause, and part of the difficulty in controlling these outbreaks is the time it takes to test for the pathogen. Researchers at Washington State University have taken up this problem and developed a “nanoflower” biosensor that detects E. coli’s presence. Nanoflowers are nanoparticles shaped like flower petals upon which immobilized enzymes can react and amplify chemical signals from the pathogens. Detection is actually based on a pH value.   MORE

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