Quick route to pathogens

Dr. Raj Mutharasan of

, Philadelphia is optimising a sensor that can enable people to track the source of pathogens or bacteria in minutes rather than hours.

Said to be precise, accurate and cheap, the “intelligent” sensor technology can provide a result within 10 minutes and can detect anomalies like E. coli, with a sensitivity of four cells per millilitre.

The standard detection process of E. coli bacteria in food processing takes about 24 hours. A sample is taken to a lab and placed on a nutrient agar. If E. coli is present, they will multiply on the auger and researchers can visibly identify them.

According to a statement, Mutharasan’s sensor can be placed into a palm-sized device that can be placed in the hands of food inspectors and growers, and is even cheap enough to one day enter the home.

The sensor uses E. coli antibodies to detect the bacteria in much the way that human bodies work. These antibodies are affixed to a narrow sliver of glass. Attached to the other end of the glass is a ceramic layer that generates voltage in response to applied mechanical stress.