Skip to Content

Three-Minute Anthrax Sensor

By using live mouse immune cells, the BioFlash sensor can detect potential airborne bioterror agents in three minutes. Fans pull airborne particles into a disposable disc containing the mouse cells, which have been genetically engineered to emit blue light when exposed to one of six agents, including anthrax and smallpox. The glowing cells eliminate the need for sample preparation and for a separate imaging system. The U.S. government is already using the BioFlash for building security in the Washington, DC, area.

Credit: Todd Wright

Product: BioFlash

Cost: $29,970 for the system, $96 per disc

Source: http://www.innovativebiosensors.com/

Company: Innovative Biosensors

Keep Reading

Most Popular

Large language models can do jaw-dropping things. But nobody knows exactly why.

And that's a problem. Figuring it out is one of the biggest scientific puzzles of our time and a crucial step towards controlling more powerful future models.

The problem with plug-in hybrids? Their drivers.

Plug-in hybrids are often sold as a transition to EVs, but new data from Europe shows we’re still underestimating the emissions they produce.

Google DeepMind’s new generative model makes Super Mario–like games from scratch

Genie learns how to control games by watching hours and hours of video. It could help train next-gen robots too.

How scientists traced a mysterious covid case back to six toilets

When wastewater surveillance turns into a hunt for a single infected individual, the ethics get tricky.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.